09 AUG 2019: Canada has issued no additional warnings for travel to Hong Kong, other than the standard, “You should take normal security precautions.” The US government however, has stepped up its warnings to travellers to Hong Kong because of increasing violence surrounding pro-democracy protests in the Chinese city.
The State Department’s Level 2 travel advisory issued Thursday urges “increased caution in Hong Kong due to civil unrest” and tells travellers to avoid demonstrations and to “exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests.”
The protests were sparked two months ago by proposed extradition legislation that could have seen suspects sent to mainland China, where protesters say they could face torture and unfair politicized trials. They have since morphed into calls for broader democratic reforms in the former British colony, along with the resignation of Chief Executive Carrie Lam and investigations into alleged police abuse of force.
The territory’s crucial travel industry has suffered as tourists put off their visits, with Australia, Ireland, Britain and Japan having also issued travel advisories to their citizens.
Hong Kong police say a total of 589 people have been arrested in the protests since June 9, ranging in age from 13 to 76. They face charges including rioting, which allows for prison terms of up to 10 years. Police have fired tear gas, rubber bullets and other projectiles at protesters, with demonstrators responding with metal sticks, bricks, gasoline bombs and carts full of burning debris.
The central government in Beijing so far has not visibly intervened in the situation, though in editorials and public remarks it has condemned demonstrators and protest organizers as criminals, clowns and “violent radicals” and alleged that they have been inflamed by politicians from the US, Taiwan and elsewhere.
On Wednesday, the head of Beijing’s Cabinet office responsible for the territory said Hong Kong was facing its “most severe situation” since its handover from British rule in 1997 and the central government was currently considering further measures.
Hong Kong was returned to China under the framework of “one country, two systems,” which promised the city political, civil and economic freedoms not allowed under Communist Party rule on the mainland. However, many Hong Kong residents feel Beijing has been increasingly encroaching on their freedoms.
Pro-democracy protesters said Thursday they plan to hold a demonstration at Hong Kong’s international airport over the weekend, along with marches elsewhere in the territory.
A police spokesman said no application for a protest at the airport had been received and urged any participants to remain peaceful.
On Thursday the Chinese foreign ministry’s office in Hong Kong issued a formal protest over a reported meeting between US consular officials in the city and opposition figures, including prominent activist Joshua Wong.
The statement demanded the US explain the purpose of the meeting and “immediately cease interfering in Hong Kong affairs.”
Wong was released in June after serving a two-month sentence for contempt related to his involvement in 2014 protests advocating a more democratic electoral process known as the Umbrella Movement.