Xi’s visit marks 20 years since Hong Kong was handed back to China, and amid fears are growing Beijing is tightening its grip on the city
Hong Kong student pro-democracy campaigner Joshua Wong was detained by police on Wednesday after an anti-China protest before a visit by President Xi Jinping.
Wong was among around 30 protesters who had staged a three-hour sit-in at a harbour front statue and were led away into police vans.
Xi’s visit this week marks 20 years since Hong Kong was handed back to China by Britain and comes at a time when fears are growing that Beijing is tightening its grip on the semi-autonomous city.
Protesters had encircled the sculpture of a golden bauhinia flower which became the emblem of Hong Kong in 1997. The statue was given to the city by China as a present to mark the handover.
Some activists chained themselves to the sculpture while others climbed into its petals.
Police cleared the area and surrounded the statue, leading away protesters one by one. Most walked but Wong and young legislator Nathan Law lay down and were carried away from the scene.
Before the arrests began, protesters shouted: “Civil disobedience, no fear!” and “Xi Jinping, can you hear us?” Police had warned them that they were causing a public nuisance and would be arrested if they did not move.
As Wong was carried away to the awaiting vans, he shouted: “Protest on 1 July.” – the anniversary of the handover.
