Hong Kong rings in new year as muted celebrations give way to defiant anti-government protests
- While no fierce clashes are reported, Mong Kok is the main flashpoint as radicals block roads, start fires, let off fireworks and disrupt traffic
- More than 1,000 protesters form human chains in various districts and call on citizens to join New Year’s Day march
Hong Kong rang in the new year with muted celebrations that gave way to defiant anti-government protests late into Tuesday night, while police fired tear gas and deployed at least one water cannon to chase people off the streets.
While no fierce clashes were reported, the shopping district of Mong Kok was the main flashpoint as radical protesters blocked roads, started fires, let off fireworks and disrupted traffic, prompting police to fire several rounds of tear gas.
Well into the early hours of New Year’s Day, protesters and riot police officers were locked in a stand-off on Nathan Road. Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd, and a first-aid volunteer was hit.
Renowned writer Tang Siu-wa said she was hit by a tear-gas canister in the corner of her left eye and was left bleeding heavily.
In neighbouring Yau Ma Tei, at least five rounds of tear gas were fired on Waterloo Road shortly after protesters were warned by police that they were taking part in an unlawful assembly.
Earlier, more than 1,000 people had formed human chains in various districts, including Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Tai Po and Tuen Mun, and along Nathan Road from Tsim Sha Tsui to Mong Kok.