Hong Kong begins unprecedented lockdown to head off protests at events marking return of city to China
- Force preparing for possibility of clashes with extradition bill protesters on July 1
- Security tightened at several sites including Golden Bauhinia Square, and the Convention and Exhibition Centre
Sources told the Post on Saturday that around 5,000 riot personnel would be ready for any trouble, while the government announced that the city’s main convention centre in Wan Chai would be sealed off from Sunday because of security concerns, given that protesters were planning to target the flag-raising ceremony nearby which would also be scaled down for the first time.
A government source said the authorities were preparing for a wide range of scenarios at the flag-raising ceremony in Golden Bauhinia Square and the cocktail reception after that at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre to mark the 22nd handover anniversary.
San Tsz-kin, police deputy district commander for Central, would only say: “We have received information that someone will disturb the flag-raising ceremony, therefore the police have made some appropriate arrangements after conducting risk assessments.”
But force insiders, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they were prepared for the possibility of violence by protesters demanding the complete withdrawal of the now-suspended bill, which would have allowed the transfer of fugitives to mainland China and other jurisdictions with which Hong Kong does not have an extradition deal.
