Hong Kong police calls for peaceful 2020 as multiple protests planned for year-end
Record ID:
1450762
Hong Kong police calls for peaceful 2020 as multiple protests planned for year-end
- Title: Hong Kong police calls for peaceful 2020 as multiple protests planned for year-end
- Date: 30th December 2019
- Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (DECEMBER 30, 2019) (REUTERS) POLICE OFFICIALS SITTING DOWN FOR NEWS CONFERENCE JOURNALISTS SITTING (SOUNDBITE) (English) HONG KONG POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS CHIEF, KWOK KA-CHUEN, SAYING: "The year 2019 has almost come to an end, Hong Kong people had a bumpy year where widespread rioting pushed the city to the brink of extreme danger. I believe most citizens are fed up with these ongoing social unrest and long for peace and stability. However, rioters have been putting their own interest above public interest, putting their own demand over the wellbeing of whole population." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) HONG KONG POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS CHIEF, KWOK KA-CHUEN, SAYING: "It's high time to put an end to violence and restore social order in Hong Kong. On the first day of 2020, there will be a public procession expected to draw a large turnout. We appealed to the organiser and participants to remain calm and rational. Let us kick start 2020 with peace and get Hong Kong back on the right track. Thank you." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS
- Embargoed: 13th January 2020 11:11
- Keywords: China Hong Kong anti-government comissioner police protest social unrest
- Location: HONG KONG, CHINA
- City: HONG KONG, CHINA
- Country: China
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Civil Unrest
- Reuters ID: LVA001BC61I6F
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Hong Kong police called for peace and stability for the year 2020 on Monday (December 30) as multiple protests are planned for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day aimed at disrupting festivities and shopping in the Asian financial hub.
Events dubbed "Suck the Eve" and "Shop With You" are set for New Year's Eve on Tuesday (December 31) in areas including the party district of Lan Kwai Fong, the picturesque Victoria Harbour, and popular shopping malls, according to notices on social media.
In a Facebook post, police released a year-end video in which Police Commissioner Chris Tang thanked his frontline officers for guarding Hong Kong's "safety and stability" and issued a warning to protesters.
"If you use violence, you will not get public support. We, Police, will do all we can do to arrest you," Tang said.
While the protests -- now in their seventh month -- have lessened in intensity and size in recent weeks, marches or rallies continue to occur almost daily.
The demonstrations planned for New Year follow a pick up in clashes since Christmas Eve, when riot police fired tear gas at thousands of protesters following scuffles in shopping malls and in a prime tourist district.
(Production: Joyce Zhou) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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