Hong Kong Once Again the Scene of Clashes Between Police and Pro-Democracy Protesters

Two months after the start of a new wave of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, the commercial and administrative heart of the region has once again become the scene of clashes between police forces and protesters, resulting in several injuries. Early on Monday, December 1, thousands of protesters gathered in the Admiralty area (Hong Kong Island; the administrative and commercial center of the city) attempted to blockade main streets and government centers, facing a police assault. Police used batons, pepper spray, and in some cases, tear gas. Reuters described the clashes on Monday morning as 'possibly the most violent' in recent weeks. The same agency reported that many of the injured protesters suffered head injuries. Joshua Wong (left) and Lester Shum (right), young leaders of the student movement, were arrested on December 1. The Hong Kong police stated that 18 people were also arrested. The South China Morning Post reported that the recent violence occurred after police warned about the occupation of the streets. Many of the demonstrators, who are part of the student movement in this special administrative region, also protested in another part of the city, in Mong Kok (north of Hong Kong Island). According to the Hong Kong newspaper, a total of 7,000 police forces were deployed to confront the protests. AFP reported that protesters attempted to continue occupying the road leading to the city's executive office to prevent the Chief Executive and staff from entering on Monday morning. Police had warned protesters since Saturday that they would take action to disperse demonstrators. Many marchers wore masks and safety goggles, which have been common in recent weeks to reduce harm from pepper spray. At the peak of the latest round of protests, nearly 100,000 people took to the streets, a significant turnout not seen in this special administrative region. Despite ups and downs, protests have continued. The latest demonstrations began in early October after Beijing decided to limit the 2017 elections to 'approved' representatives. Protesters are demanding free elections and the right to vote for an open list of representatives. Hong Kong, as a special administrative region of China, enjoys a degree of autonomy that guarantees a form of elections, freedom of expression, a relatively independent judiciary, and a type of legislative council. Nevertheless, the executive government of this region, whose method of selecting its chief is one of the main reasons for the protests, holds extensive power and is generally dependent on Beijing.