U.S. urges caution in Hong Kong
State Department warns travelers to avoid protests
HONG KONG — The U.S. government on Thursday stepped up warnings to travelers to Hong Kong because of increasing violence surrounding prodemocracy protests in the Chinese city.
The State Department’s Level 2 travel advisory issued Thursday urges “increased caution in Hong Kong due to civil unrest,” and tells travelers to avoid demonstrations and to “exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests.”
The protests were sparked two months ago by proposed extradition legislation that could have seen suspects sent to mainland China, where protesters say they could face torture and unfair politicized trials. They have since morphed into calls for broader democratic reforms in the former British colony, along with the resignation of Chief Executive Carrie Lam and investigations into alleged police abuse of force.
The territory’s crucial travel industry has suffered as tourists put off their visits, with Australia, Ireland, Britain and Japan having also issued travel advisories to their citizens.
Hong Kong police say 589 people, aged from 13 to 76, have been arrested in the protests since June 9. They face charges including rioting, which carries prison terms of up to 10 years. Police have fired tear gas, rubber bullets and other projectiles at protesters as demonstrators responded with metal sticks, bricks, gasoline bombs and carts full of burning debris.
On several occasions, protesters have been attacked by unknown people believed to be linked to organized crime groups, while police took little action to stop them.
The central government in Beijing has so far not visibly intervened in the situation, though in editorials and public remarks, it has condemned demonstrators and protest organizers as criminals, clowns and “violent radicals,” and alleged they have been inflamed by politicians from the U.S., Taiwan and elsewhere.