Hong Kong riot police clash with protesters
Passengers stranded at airport due to demonstrations
Hong Kong — Riot police armed with pepper spray and batons clashed with protesters Tuesday at Hong Kong’s airport, bringing violence to the key international hub while passengers remained stranded inside after many departing flights were canceled.
The police intervened after a frenzied mob of protesters seized a man, claiming he was an undercover Chinese police officer, and blocked paramedics from transporting him for hours after he lost consciousness. Later Tuesday night, the group seized a second man, identified by his documents and his editor as a reporter for the Global Times, the Chinese Communist Party-run newspaper.
The incidents marked a brazen escalation by protesters in confronting those they perceive as infiltrators from mainland China and capped a second consecutive day of chaos at Hong Kong’s airport, among the busiest in the world. Authorities have been unable to quell months of dissent in the financial hub.
The U.S. State Department urged China to adhere to its commitment to allow “a high degree of autonomy” in Hong Kong — part of an agreement under which Britain relinquished its former colony. U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted: “Our Intelligence has informed us that the Chinese Government is moving troops to the Border with Hong Kong. Everyone should be calm and safe!” He did not elaborate.
Police said they were closely monitoring the situation at the airport, working with airport authorities, and carefully would consider the need to use force.