Protests in Hong Kong: Demonstrators break into government buildings

(Patria) – Protests in Hong Kong on the anniversary of the city's handover to Chinese rule have turned violent, with physical clashes with police.

Breaking down doors and windows, demonstrators stormed the city's parliament building and the judicial council.

Before the flag-raising ceremony, police attempted to disperse groups of protesters with tear gas. They responded by raising their own Hong Kong flag and a black flag at half-mast.

The commemoration of 22 years since Hong Kong, a former British colony, was handed over to Chinese rule comes amid unrest and mass protests that have been shaking the city for weeks.

We recall that more than half a million Hong Kong residents joined protests against the proposed extradition law, which would allow criminal trials to be held in mainland China.

Activists consider the law risky because it would allow the Chinese government in Beijing to remove its opponents, reports Euronews.

After weeks of protests, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, who faced calls for her resignation, eventually suspended the proposed law but did not completely cancel it.

She promised to better listen to the sentiments of the people: 'I have learned a lesson from this incident, and I will ensure that what the government does in the future is closer to the aspirations, feelings, and opinions of the community.'

In a statement issued regarding the events in Hong Kong, British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt emphasized the importance of upholding the principle of 'One country, two systems' when it comes to China and the autonomous territory of Hong Kong.

- It is imperative that Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, as well as the rights and freedoms of its residents, are fully respected, in accordance with the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law of Hong Kong, Hunt stressed, adding that the UK has 'made its position on this matter clear to the Chinese government, both publicly and privately.'