Hong Kong activists call off Xi protest after warnings

ONE of Hong Kong’s last remaining opposition groups has cancelled a protest planned to coincide with a visit by the Chinese president following threats by the police.

The League of Social Democrats (LSD) said on Facebook it had called off tomorrow’s action, the 25th anniversary of Britain’s handover of Hong Kong to China, after members and friends were “talked to” by the authorities.

“It is a difficult situation, and I wish for your apologies,” the LSD wrote.

It was expected to be the sole protest in the city on a date that has traditionally seen a raft of activists take to the streets. LSD has held a rally pushing for basic democratic freedoms on July 1 every year since the group was established in 2006.

But a 2020 national security law outlawing subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces has effectively quashed any sign of dissent.

This year, the date will be used to inaugurate the city’s new government led by pro-beijing chief executive John Lee, an ex-police officer considered by many to be even more hardline than Carrie Lam, his predecessor.

President Xi Jinping will be making his first trip outside of mainland China since the pandemic began to show that Beijing has re-established control over the state following the unrest of 2019.

In the past, more than 1,000 police-approved demonstrations took place annually in Hong Kong. Since last year, not a single one has been approved.

“If we are the few remaining and are still able and willing to speak up, we will do as much as we can, for as long as we can,” said Avery Ng Man-yuen, the former chairman of the LSD.