Hong Kong activists mock police warning of ‘terrorist’ violence

● Propaganda claim as China fears embarrassment at National Day events

Hong Kong police warned yesterday that protesters in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory might engage in violence “one step closer to terrorism” during this week’s National Day events, a claim ridiculed by activists as propaganda meant to scare people from taking to the streets.

Police public relations chief Tse Chun-chung said information suggested protesters were inciting others to commit “extreme acts” such as killing police, posing as police officials to kill civilians and largescale arson during today’s holiday.

“We are on the verge of extreme danger,” Mr Tse claimed. “There are apparent signs that hard-core violence may escalate. Those acts are one step closer to terrorism.”

Politician Claudia Mo called the police intelligence “a joke”, saying the warning echoed one made by a Chinesegovernment newspaper days earlier.

“This is Chinese propaganda at play,” she said. “What’s more worrying is that police have admitted to its officials masquerading as protesters.

“So who will be the arsonists? Who will be the murderers? The goal is to institute fear in society so that people will be scared to go out. This is a despicable tactic.”

Echoing that view was Bonnie Leung of the Civil Human Rightsfront,whichhasorganised several massive rallies in nearly four months of antigovernment protests.

Civil Human Rights Front’s request for permission to hold a march today through the city center was rejected by police.

Violence erupted over the weekend in what has become a familiar cycle since protests began in June over a nowshelved extradition bill and have escalated into an antichina movement. Many people view Beijing as chipping away at the autonomy and freedoms Hong Kong was promised when the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

In Beijing, President Xi Jinping renewed his government’s commitment to allowing Hong Kong to manage its own affairs. At a reception on the eve of National Day, Xi pledged that China will abide by the “one country, two systems” framework to ensure Hong Kong will “prosper and progress” alongside the mainland.

Hong Kong authorities are looking to minimise violence on National Day that could embarrass Mr Xi as his ruling Communist Party marks 70 years since taking power.

In a lull yesterday, more than 1,000 students formed a long human chain at the harbourfront at night to keep up the momentum while hundreds more gathered outside a subway station in the busy Mong Kok district,