‘Hong Kong a place I no longer know’

Unrest in Hong Kong is likely to continue despite the withdrawal of a controversial bill, says a former resident living in Marlborough.

Hong Kong has seen mass antigovernment protests for nearly three months, initially in response to a proposed extradition law that would see prisoners transported to mainland China to stand trial.

Hong Kong born Elgee Leung, who moved to Marlborough last year, said the formal withdrawal of the bill by Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam on Wednesday would not be the end of the crisis.

‘‘It’s the Extradition Bill to China that triggered all this protest, but it’s not really about a bill anymore, it’s about how Hong Kong has become a place that I no longer know,’’ Leung said.

Leung, 32, came to Marlborough in February 2018 to study viticulture and winemaking at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology. He is a cellist and conducted the Marlborough Civic Orchestra. His wife, parents and friends remain in Hong Kong.

Leung said the ‘‘deteriorating’’ freedoms in Hong Kong had made his country unrecognisable, and was the main reason he came to New Zealand.

‘‘I saw all the changes coming and I knew something like that would eventually happen: Hong Kong with no democracy and the Chinese influence getting bigger in Hong Kong,’’ Leung said.

Leung was concerned for the safety of his wife, who aimed to join him in New Zealand at the end of this year. His parents often went to the protests, he said.

He was particularly saddened by news last weekend of police brutality in a train station.

‘‘This weekend the police went into the subway station. . . they just beat up everyone on the train, including children. I cried at the news.’’ A driver pursued by police continued on through Blenheim after hitting road spikes until his front tyre came off, police said.

Marlborough community Constable Russ Smith said police followed a stationwagon from Blenheim to Spring Creek, halfway between Blenheim and Picton, and then back on Wednesday.

Police deployed road spikes at the O¯ paoa Bridge about 5am but the driver continued on a loop through Blenheim, Smith said.

The driver tried to navigate the large Main St roundabout when a deflated front tyre fell off, preventing the vehicle from continuing, Smith said.

Four people were arrested. Jesse Danian Farrow, 30, appeared at the Blenheim District Court on Wednesday, charged with reckless driving, failing to stop, driving while disqualified, resisting police, possession of an offensive weapon, possession of paraphernalia for drugs and using a document for pecuniary advantage. He did not enter a plea and was released on bail to an address in Seddon.

A 29-year-old woman, a 21-year-old woman and a 21-yearold man, all from Blenheim, face charges of possession of an offensive weapon and possession of paraphernalia for drugs.

In another police pursuit, about 11.45am on Tuesday, a car failed to stop for police in Weld St, Blenheim, Smith said.

This vehicle was driven at speed into Maxwell Rd, went the wrong way around the Alabama Rd roundabout into New Renwick Rd, allegedly dangerously overtaking a large truck, and driving at speed in among other traffic.

Police abandoned this pursuit shortly after it started, Smith said.

The vehicle was later located in Wairau Bar Rd and was impounded. A 36-year-old Blenheim woman believed to have been in the car was located and interviewed. Police are pursuing inquiries for a second occupant.