- Title: Hong Kong police "considering" use of force to disperse airport protesters
- Date: 13th August 2019
- Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (AUGUST 13, 2019) (REUTERS) HONG KONG POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS CHIEF TSE CHUN-CHUNG AND OTHER POLICE OFFICIALS TAKING SEATS FOR NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) HONG KONG POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS CHIEF, TSE CHUN-CHUNG, SAYING: "We have close communication with the airport authority in ensuring the security as well as the well-function of these very important infrastructure in Hong Kong. And the police have also have corresponding measures to support the airport authority in monitoring the situations and will pay attention to the acts of these protesters and whether if there is any breach of the peace inside the airport, we will consider whether there is a need for any force to control the situation if necessary." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) HONG KONG POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS CHIEF, TSE CHUN-CHUNG, SAYING: "It has to be admitted that all the protests held recently (are) becoming even more unpredictable. It moved from one district to another district within a short period of time. So visitors should monitor the news outlet and avoid the protest area as far as possible. Although there is nothing to indicate that the protesters will target visitors in Hong Kong, but because of the tactics adopted, there is a risk for anyone in the vicinity of the protest." NEWS CONFERENCE ONGOING CHUNG SEATED/ SCREEN SHOWING VIDEO PRESENTATION OF POLICE ON DUTY REPORTERS SEATED NEWS CONFERENCE ENDING, REPORTERS CROWDING AROUND TSE
- Embargoed: 27th August 2019 11:37
- Keywords: police Hong Kong news conference protests extradition bill
- Location: HONG KONG, CHINA
- City: HONG KONG, CHINA
- Country: Hong Kong
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Civil Unrest
- Reuters ID: LVA001AS1UYPZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Hong Kong police said on Tuesday (August 13) they will consider the use of force "if necessary" in order to disperse protesters occupying the city's international airport as the demonstrations forced flight cancellations for a second consecutive day.
Police public relations chief Tse Chun-Chung said police were "monitoring the situation" and warned visitors to stay away from the "unpredictable" protests which have previously sprouted in more than a dozen districts across the city during the past few weeks.
Unrest has roiled the former British colony for 10 weeks this summer, as thousands of residents chafe at a perceived erosion of freedoms and autonomy under Chinese rule.
The protests began as opposition to a now-suspended bill that would have allowed extradition to mainland China for those facing criminal charges, but have swelled into wider calls for democracy.
(Production: Ronn Bautista) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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