Hong Kong activists fear anti-chinese violence may harm cause

A GANG of protesters in Hong Kong have attacked a train which was heading to mainland China in the latest act of violence towards perceived “probeijing” targets.

Angry shouts and the splintering of glass could be heard in a video clip where the black-clad group, who are part of a hard-core fringe of the antigovernment protests, smashed the windows of the train. The footage emerged yesterday despite reportedly occurring late last Friday.

The incident adds to a growing trend of violence aimed at Chinese or “probeijing” targets amid rising frustration that Hong Kong leaders are failing to address pro-democracy demands.

The attack has led to concerns among the mostly peaceful protesters that their movement, now entering its fifth month, could be discredited.

The growing turmoil in the city since two teenagers were shot by police last week and the government enforced a face-mask ban, has seen a shift towards the torching of Chinese banks and vandalism against metro stations.

Chinese citizens in Hong Kong are also starting to express fears about their own security. Another viral video emerged two days ago of a Chinese office worker being punched by a democracy supporter after arguing with a crowd who chanted “go home”.

Protesters have recognised the widening polarisation in Hong Kong and are attempting to rein in the more radical elements of their group.

A post on the demonstrators’ online forum argued that destructive acts of vigilantism would be used by the government to enforce further draconian emergency measures.

♦ Chinese state television said it will not air NBA games played in the country this week, after a tweet by a Houston Rockets executive backing protests in Hong Kong. Daryl Morey, the basketball team’s general manager, has apologised and deleted the tweet.