Masked protesters smashed their way into the legislative council building on the 22nd anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong from Britain to China RITCHIE B. TONGO/EPA

Protesters in Hong Kong rampaged through the territory’s parliament this afternoon in chaotic scenes following the latest tense demonstrations against the government and its pro-Chinese chief executive, Carrie Lam.

Having smashed the glass entrance to storm Hong Kong’s Legislative Council building, protesters wearing masks, helmets and goggles removed aluminium fences and, once inside, sprayed red paint over walls, floors and security cameras.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets and at about 9pm smoke was seen coming out of the building, although its origin was unclear.

The new demonstrations took place on the 22nd anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong from Britain to China. They followed weeks of unrest over a controversial proposed law to allow the extradition of criminal suspects from… </s> Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Hong Kong yesterday to mark the 20th anniversary of Beijing taking control of the former British colony, accompanied by a formidable layer of security as authorities showed little patience for pro-democracy protests.

After stepping off his Air China plane, Xi said he envisioned “stable development” of Hong Kong’s “one country, two systems” framework. Pro-democracy activists fear Beijing is undermining the principle — agreed upon when Britain handed over the city back to China — which guarantees Hong Kong can mostly run its own affairs and keep civil liberties including free speech until 2047.

Xi’s three-day visit culminates tomorrow when he will oversee an inauguration ceremony for the Asian financial hub’s new leader, Carrie Lam.

Pro-democracy activists staged protests ahead of his visit and more were expected, including an annual march through the streets tomorrow that has drawn big crowds in the past. Hong Kong authorities were taking no chances with disruptions and deployed heavy security across the city.

Helicopters hovered overhead and police and barricades lined the streets around a downtown convention center and hotel complex where Xi was expected to spend most of his time. Officers questioned passers-by taking photos of the few protests allowed near the area. Authorities even glued the gaps between sidewalk paving stones in an effort to prevent them from being torn up and thrown by protesters.

Three pro-democracy groups said 26 of their members were arrested Wednesday evening on public nuisance charges for staging a sit-in at a giant flower sculpture near the complex. They were still detained hours after Xi arrived. Police have the power to hold them up to 48 hours.

Those arrested included Joshua Wong, the young activist who helped lead 2014’s “Umbrella Movement” protests, and Nathan Law, another student protest leader who was elected to the legislature last year.

Xi is visiting to mark the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s

 handover, when Britain ceded control of its colony to China at the stroke of midnight on June 30, 1997.

“It’s been nine years since I last set foot in this place. I’m thrilled,” Xi said on the airport tarmac. “Hong Kong has been tugging away at my heart,” he said, adding that the anniversary of Hong Kong’s “return to the motherland” on Saturday is “a big deal, a joyous occasion for the country and for Hong Kong.”

He said one of the purposes of his trip is to plan for Hong Kong’s future.

“We would like to look back at Hong Kong’s extraordinary journey over the past 20 years, to learn from our experience, and look forward to the future to ensure the stable development of ‘one country, two systems,’” he said in brief remarks before speeding off in a motorcade without answering questions.

Hong Kongers have grown concerned Beijing is backtracking on “one country, two systems” following a string of recent incidents, most notably the secret detention of five Hong Kong booksellers on the mainland.

Xi later visited the site of an arts hub under construction in West Kowloon district and was due to attend a banquet with government officials.

On Friday, he’s expected to inspect Chinese troops at a People’s Liberation Army base. China’s only aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, will pay its first Hong Kong port call to mark the PLA’s 20 year-presence in the city, the Defense Ministry said.

The ship, commissioned in 2012, and its battle group departed northern China on a training mission earlier this week and will likely pass through the Taiwan Strait along its voyage to Hong Kong.

Speaking at a monthly news briefing, ministry spokesman Col. Wu Qian said the ship would take part in “celebratory activities,” but gave no details. Media reports said the ship would arrive in Hong Kong on July 7 for a two-day visit. AP

Hong Kong stocks jumped the most in more than a week, in a rally coinciding with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the former British colony to mark the 20th anniversary of the city’s handover to the mainland, Nikkei agency reported.

The Hang Seng Index rallied 1.1 percent. More than half the gauge’s 282-point gain yesterday was added by HSBC Holdings, a heavyweight British bank that climbed 6.3 percent, the most since the depths of the global financial crisis, to HKD72.80. The gains followed the Federal Reserve’s signal Wednesday that U.S. lenders were healthy enough to use extra capital on share buybacks and dividend payouts.

Adding to the cheer, Morgan Stanley raised its price target on the stock to HKD84 from HKD70 in a report released late Wednesday, saying it expects “the narrative on HSBC to flip from prior concerns on the dividend to a debate on how to deploy excess capital.” Hang Seng Bank, a Hang Seng Index constituent that is majority owned by HSBC, advanced 2.8 percent, while Standard Chartered, also a London-headquartered lender as HSBC, added 4.4 percent.

President Xi arrived yesterday for the first time since he assumed power amid a tight security blanket enveloping parts of the city.

Yesterday’s rally took the Hang Seng Index’s advance so far in 2017 to 18 percent, ranking it among Asia’s best-performing equity benchmarks. Still, valuations that are “not too stretched” offer a layer of comfort, according to Victor Au, chief operating officer at Delta Asia Securities.

According to Nikkei, the Hang Seng Index currently trades at 13.7 times its earnings, compared with 14.6 times for the Shanghai Composite Index and a multiple of 21.6 for the S&P 500 Index.

The Shanghai gauge, meanwhile, added 0.5 percent yesterday, taking its increase this year to 2.7 percent. Mainland shares have underperformed Hong Kong this year amid concern over curbs imposed by policy makers to contain financial- and property-sector risks.

However, the People’s Bank of China will hold off on further tightening of its monetary policies, and could even loosen them slightly in coming months to prevent growth from slowing too sharply, Reuters reported Wednesday, citing policy advisers at the central bank.

“I’m quite sure that after July, or in the middle of the third quarter, they’ll try to reengineer strong growth,” Delta Asia’s Au said, quoted by Nikkei. </s> Chinese President Xi Jinping, visiting Hong Kong for the 20th anniversary of the city's return to Chinese rule, inspected more than 3,000 People's Liberation Army troops on Friday, as pro-democracy campaigners geared up for protests.

His visit to the former British colony comes amid heightened tension between China and Hong Kong, where many people are concerned at what they perceive to be increasing interference by Beijing in the city's affairs.

The battle for full democracy has been a defining issue for the city of 7.3 million. It has sown distrust between China and Hong Kong, polarized politics, hampered governance and stoked mass protests.

Xi's visit to the Shek Kong barracks in a quiet and lush corner of Hong Kong came on the second day of his first trip as president to the financial hub ahead of Saturday's anniversary.

Xi, who oversees the PLA in his role as head of the powerful Central Military Commission, repeatedly shouted, "Hello comrades!" and "Comrades, you are working hard!" into four microphones fixed atop his motorcade as martial music blared in

 the background.

The troops responded in unison: "Hail to you chief!" and "Serve the people!"

The presence of the PLA in the city has long been one of the most sensitive parts of the city's reversion to Chinese rule, but the garrison, thought to number between 8,000 and 10,000, has kept a noticeably low-key presence.

Hong Kong's large and well-equipped police force - dominated by Hong Kong recruits - remains responsible for routine domestic security and was protecting the streets surrounding the base on Friday.

Security has been tight ahead of the anniversary, with some 9,000 police reportedly deployed to maintain order. Protesters have been kept well away from Xi and his entourage, his hotel, and the venue for the handover day ceremony on Saturday.

Banners critical of China have been largely absent from the streets, though a rally on Saturday could draw tens of thousands of people in an annual demand for full democracy.

Britain returned Hong Kong to Chinese rule on July 1, 1997, under a "one country, two systems" formula that guarantees wide-ranging freedoms and judicial independence unseen in mainland China.

More than 100,000 people took to the streets in 2014 for 79 days to protest against Beijing's refusal to allow full democracy in the so-called "Occupy" civil disobedience movement.

Few expect anywhere near this scale of protest during Xi's visit, but activists and civil society groups are planning a number of demonstrations. These include a pro-independence rally claiming that Hong Kong had now in effect become a repressed Chinese colony.

Other protests will demand the release of Chinese Nobel Peace laureate Liu Xiaobo, and justice for victims of the Tiananmen crackdown in Beijing in 1989, that could draw

 thousands.

Hong Kong authorities released 26 pro-democracy protesters on Friday who were arrested before Xi's arrival.

"Democracy Now! Now!," they shouted on being released, including young Occupy protest leader Joshua Wong.

After the military inspection, Xi visited a junior police training camp with Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying.

He observed children doing physical training and told them to develop their sense of responsibility so they can serve Hong Kong and "the motherland". </s> HONG KONG—Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Hong Kong Thursday to mark the 20th anniversary of Beijing taking control of the former British colony, accompanied by a formidable layer of security as authorities showed little patience for pro-democracy protests.

After stepping off his Air China plane, Xi said he envisioned “stable development” of Hong Kong’s “one country, two systems” framework. Pro-democracy activists fear Beijing is undermining the principle — agreed upon when Britain handed over the city back to China — which guarantees Hong Kong can mostly run its own affairs and keep civil liberties including free speech until 2047.

Xi’s three-day visit culminates Saturday when he will oversee an inauguration ceremony for the Asian financial hub’s new leader, Carrie Lam.

Pro-democracy activists staged protests ahead of his visit and more were expected, including an annual march through the streets on Saturday that has drawn big crowds in the past. Hong Kong authorities were taking no chances with disruptions and deployed heavy security across the city.

Helicopters hovered overhead and police and barricades lined the streets around a downtown convention centre and hotel complex where Xi was expected to spend most of his time. Officers questioned passersby taking photos of the few protests allowed near the area. Authorities even glued the gaps between sidewalk paving stones in an effort to prevent them from being torn up and thrown by protesters. </s> HONG KONG, July 1 (Reuters) - Hong Kong protesters stormed the legislature on the anniversary of the city's 1997 return to Chinese rule on Monday in a direct challenge to Beijing, amid widespread anger over laws that would allow extraditions to China.

A small group of mostly students wearing hard hats and masks used a metal trolley, poles and pieces of scaffolding to charge again and again at the compound's reinforced glass doors, which finally gave.

Some protesters broke into the building, threatening to paralyze the workings of government, but it was unclear how many were still inside. The council, the mini-parliament in the former British colony, issued a red alert, ordering the protesters to leave immediately.

It did not say what would happen if they didn't.

Protesters frantically shouted for and passed on helmets, cling film, masks and other utilities. Periodic shouts of "helmets!," "gloves!" rang out as the crowd tried to get supplies to the front lines.

Riot police in helmets and carrying batons fired pepper spray as the standoff continued into the sweltering heat of the evening. Some demonstrators removed steel bars that were reinforcing parts of the council building.

Banners hanging over flyovers at the protest site read: "Free Hong Kong."

The protesters, some with cling film wrapped around their arms to protect their skin in the event of tear gas, once again paralyzed parts of the Asian financial hub as they occupied roads after blocking them off with metal barriers.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam suspended the bill on June 15 after some of the largest and most violent protests in the city in decades, but stopped short of protesters' demands to scrap it.

The Beijing-backed leader is now clinging on to her job at a time of an unprecedented backlash against the government that poses the greatest popular challenge to Chinese leader Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012.

"The kind of deafness that I see in the government this time around despite these protests is really worrying. The complete disregard for the will of the people is what alarms me," said Steve, a British lawyer show has worked in Hong Kong for 30 years.

"If this bill is not completely scrapped, I will have no choice but to leave my home, Hong Kong."

Tens of thousands clogged streets in and around the Legislative Council on Monday night.

Opponents of the extradition bill, which would allow people to be sent to mainland China for trial in courts controlled by the Communist Party, fear it is a threat to Hong Kong's much-cherished rule of law and are demanding it be scrapped and Lam step down.

Hong Kong returned to China under a "one country, two systems" formula that allows freedoms not enjoyed in mainland China, including freedom to protest and an independent judiciary.

Beijing denies interfering but, for many Hong Kong residents, the extradition bill is the latest step in a relentless march towards mainland control.

China has been angered by criticism from Western capitals, including Washington and London, about the legislation. Beijing said on Monday that Britain had no responsibility for Hong Kong any more and was opposed to its "gesticulating" about the territory.

Tens of thousands marched in temperatures of around 33 degrees Celsius (91.4°F) from Victoria Park in an annual rally. Many clapped as protesters held up a poster of Lam inside a bamboo cage.

More than a million people have taken to the streets at times over the past three weeks to vent their anger.

A tired-looking Lam appeared in public for the first time in nearly two weeks, flanked by her husband and former Hong Kong leader Tung Chee-hwa.

"The incident that happened in recent months has led to controversies and disputes between the public and the government," she said. "This has made me fully realize that I, as a politician, have to remind myself all the time of the need to grasp public sentiment accurately."

Beijing's grip over Hong Kong has intensified markedly since Xi took power and after pro-democracy street protests that gripped the city in 2014 but failed to wrestle concessions from China.

The extradition bill has sent jitters across all sectors of Hong Kong in an unprecedented backlash against the government.

Tensions spiraled on June 12 when police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at anti-extradition protesters near the heart of the city, sending plumes of smoke billowing among some of the world's tallest skyscrapers.

The uproar has reignited a protest movement that had lost steam after the failed 2014 demonstrations that led to the arrests of hundreds.

Activists raised a black bauhinia flag to half mast outside the Legislative Council building before the rally and turned Hong Kong's official flag, featuring a white bauhinia flower on a red background, upside down.

The turmoil comes at a delicate time for Beijing, which is grappling with a trade dispute with the United States, a faltering economy and tensions in the South China Sea.

Opponents of the extradition bill fear it would put them at the mercy of China's justice system, where human rights are not guaranteed.

Beyond the public outcry, the extradition bill has spooked some of Hong Kong's tycoons into starting to move their personal wealth offshore, according to financial advisers, bankers and lawyers familiar with the details. (Additional reporting by Vimvam Tong, Thomas Peter, Jessie Pang, Anne Marie Roantree, Sharon Lam, Donny Kwok, Joyce Zhou, Twinnie Siu, David Lague and Felix Tam in HONG KONG and Ben Blanchard in BEIJING, Writing by Anne Marie Roantree Editing by Nick Macfie) </s> Hong Kong police clashed with protesters on Saturday as Carrie Lam was sworn in as the city's new leader on the 20th anniversary of its handover from British to Chinese rule.

Lam became the semi-autonomous Chinese region's chief executive in a ceremony presided over by Chinese President Xi Jinping. </s> Washington, Aug 13: Amid massive protests in Hong Kong, US President Donald Trump has tweeted that China is moving troops to the border with Hong Kong.

Trump said that US intelligence has warned that China is moving troops to the border with Hong Kong, amid intensifying anti-government protests in the semi-autonomous financial hub.

"Our Intelligence has informed us that the Chinese Government is moving troops to the Border with Hong Kong. Everyone should be calm and safe!" Trump said in a tweet.

Earlier on Tuesday, Hong Kong's airport authority suspended flights for a second day as protesters staged another rally at the busy international travel hub.

Authorities announced on Monday afternoon the cancellation of all remaining arriving and departing flights from the airport after more than 5,000 black-clad pro-democracy protesters staged a peaceful rally at the building.

The protests intensified after a Chinese official said "terrorism" was emerging in the city, while in Hong Kong authorities demonstrated water cannon for use in crowd control.

Why are people in Hong Kong protesting?

The protests in Hong Kong, which have now intensified into a pro-democracy movement, initially began in June in response to a proposed extradition bill. The bill would have allowed extradition from Hong Kong to mainland China. The proposed extradition bill has now been suspended, but the protests have evolved into a mass political unrest.

Hong Kong was under British rule for a long time and is significantly different from other Chinese cities. Hong Kong was handed over to China by the British in 1997 after 99 year lease ended. Hong Kong enjoys a special status under the principal "one country, two systems" which China and Britain agreed to just a few years before the island city came under Beijing's rule.

Other than foreign and defence affairs, Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy. Hong Kong has its own legal system and borders, and rights. People of Hong Kong want more autonomy to choose their leader or the chief executive. Hong Kong has a Legislative Council but all the 70 members of this lawmaking body are not elected by the people.The chief executive is elected by a 1,200-member election committee.

People of Hong Kong are demanding democracy as most seats of the Legislative Council that are not directly elected allegedly have pro-China lawmakers. </s> President Xi Jinping is in Hong Kong to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the handover of the former British Colony to China.

Xi inspected troops today during a stop at the People's Liberation Army garrison in the New Territories where he rode an open-top jeep and saluted soldiers.

Armoured personnel carriers, combat vehicles, helicopters and other pieces of military hardware were arrayed behind the troops.

President Xi called out 'Salute all the comrades' and 'Salute to your dedication' as he rode past 3,100 soldiers arranged in formations.

The President is also Chairman of the army and the troops referred to him as Chairman when saluting.

The inspection today was a rare display of the Chinese military's presence in Hong Kong.

Armoured personnel carriers, combat vehicles, helicopters and other pieces of military hardware were arrayed behind the troops.

Xi is in Hong Kong to mark the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to China on July 1, 1997.

Hong Kong is a special administrative region and runs its affairs under the 'one country, two systems' principle. However Beijing is in charge of the city's defense and foreign affairs. The troops in the city are deployed from mainland China.

Hong Kongers have much more freedom thanks to the 'one country, two systems' principle allowing the region to have its own legal system, freedom of assembly and free speech.

Because of this, many young people in Hong Kong are concerned about the future of the region.

Security has been tight for President Xi's visit as locals vowed to protest. Parts of the region are in lockdown with several areas closed to the public.

Some 26 people including young activist leader Joshua Wong have been released on bail after being arrested for protesting on June 28. The activists climbed onto a giant flower sculpture that was a gift from Beijing and is close to the hotel complex where Xi is staying.

President Xi will also swear in new Chief Executive Carrie Lam before heading back to Beijing on June 1. </s> Organisers say almost two million people participated in a new protest through Hong Kong on Saturday against a controversial extradition bill. Police officials played down the numbers, putting the figure at approximately 240,000. Protestors rammed Hong Kong’s streets in the third mass march in a week against China’s proposed new law for the former British colony. Scenes were largely peaceful after riot police clashed with protestors in angry scenes on Wednesday as tensions ran high.

What is happening in Hong Kong? The protests are about a bill proposed by China to enable suspects to be extradited from Hong Kong to mainland China. Opponents to the legislation say suspects would face China’s opaque legal system, putting them at risk of an unfair judicial process. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam originally supported the move but was forced to back down after widespread anger was unleashed on the streets. READ MORE: SOUTH CHINA SEA TENSIONS SOAR AS BEIJING RIVAL PHILIPPINES PURCHASES MENACING NEW PLANES

She initially delayed the bill’s progress and then later suspended the plans, apologising for its creation on Saturday. Undeterred, protestors marched again on Sunday calling for the law to be scrapped rather than suspended. Joshua Wong, the imprisoned leader of Hong Kong’s 2014 Umbrella Movement, joined demonstrators after being freed and demanded Ms Lam’s resignation. He tweeted: “Hello world and hello freedom. GO HONG KONG!! Withdraw the extradition bill. Carrie Lam step down. Drop all political persecutions.” The bill is contentious as Hong Kong has long enjoyed democratic freedoms not available in mainland China, something people do not want to see changed. READ MORE: MH370 HEARTBREAK” FAMILIES IN BEIJING WERE TOLD MALAYSIA AIRLINES PLANE WAS ‘DELAYED’

Is Hong Kong part of China? How many people live in Hong Kong? Hong Kong is an island sat at the foot of China and is an autonomous territory to the mainland. When the British handed back Hong Kong to China in 1997, they did so on the understanding that it would be governed as “one country, two systems”. This means citizens were allowed to retain their democratic freedoms and judicial system for a further 50 years following the handover. READ MORE: NORTH KOREA’S SECRET WEAPON? KIM JONG-UN PREPARES TO SEND SISTER TO DMZ
Protests mark the 20th anniversary of the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong to China from the United Kingdom alongside the arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping.