Hong Kong’s Airport Authority has cancelled all flights in and out of the city after more than 5,000 protesters descended on the terminal building today to denounce police violence in a new rally.
‘Other than departure flights that have completed the check- in process and the arrival flights already heading to Hong Kong, all other flights have been cancelled for the rest of today,’ the authority said in a statement.
The demonstration comes after another weekend of protests at Hong Kong’s bustling international airport and on the streets of one of the city’s main shopping districts.
One female protester faces losing her right eye after being shot in the face with a bean bag round during a clash between police and demonstrators on Sunday.
The incident has sparked more anger among protesters who have demonstrated at the Hong Kong bustling international airport since Friday.
Also today, Beijing slammed violent protesters who had thrown petrol bombs at police officers and linked them to ‘terrorism’. In addition, Hong Kong police demonstrated an anti-riot water cannon which could be used on demonstrators.
All remaining flights out of Hong Kong International Airport on Monday have been cancelled after protesters swarmed to a terminal building to stage a sit-in. Pictured, demonstrators surround banners that read: ‘Those charge to the street on today is brave!’ (center top) and ‘Release all the detainees!’ during the peaceful rally at the arrival hall of the airport today
Hundreds of Hong Kong protesters have started three days of rallies at the city’s busy airport since Friday. The city’s streets witnessed another weekend of violent clashes between activists and police. One female demonstrator faces losing her eye after being hit by a bean bag round by the police in Tsim Sha Tsui on Sunday. The incident has sparked more anger in public
A protester covers her one eye with a gauze during the mass demonstration at Hong Kong International Airport today after news of a woman shot in the eye during a protest shocked the financial hub. Pro-democracy leaders were calling for as many as one million people to head to the Hong Kong airport today after 40 people were injured across the city over the weekend
A protester lays on the floor as she occupies the arrival hall of the Hong Kong International Airport during the mass demonstration today. Police have also reported injuries among their ranks during weekend’s clashes, including eye irritation from laser pointers and burns from a petrol bomb. The city’s anti-extradition-bill protests have lasted 10 weeks so far
Hong Kong’s Airport Authority has cancelled all flights not yet checked in by Monday afternoon and said traffic on roads to the airport was very congested and car park spaces were full. Demonstrators attend a protest at the departure hall today
Cathay Pacific said on Saturday it had suspended a pilot charged with rioting and sacked two employees for misconduct in cases that are apparently related to the ongoing protests. Beijing ordered the airline to suspend the staff on Friday
Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific today warned its staff that they could be fired if they ‘support or participate in illegal protests’ as the airline comes under pressure from Beijing.
The warning follows new regulations imposed by China’s aviation regulator, which requires the airline company to submit manifests of staff on flights to the mainland or through its airspace.
Cathay Pacific said on Saturday it had suspended a pilot charged with rioting and sacked two ground employees for misconduct in cases that are apparently related to the ongoing protests that have stretched into their 10th week with no sign of ending.
Hong Kong is at a critical juncture after two months of anti-government street protests and violence there must stop, China’s Hong Kong and Macau affairs office said on Monday.
Increasingly restive protests have plunged Hong Kong into its most serious political crisis in decades, posing a challenge to the central government in Beijing.
Yang Guang, a spokesman for the office in Beijing, delivered a televised address in which he backed police handling of the protests and said that those who care about the city should come out against violence.
All flights in and out of Hong Kong on Monday have been cancelled after thousands of pro-democracy protesters flooded the city’s airport to denounce police violence. Pictured, anti-extradition bill protesters rally at the departure hall of the airport
A passenger waits at the departure hall as protesters rally at the terminal building. The abrupt shutdown at one of the world’s busiest hubs came as the Chinese government denounced some of the violent demonstrations as ‘terrorism’
Passengers wait at the departure gate of Hong Kong airport as anti-extradition bill protesters occupy the floor during a protest today. ‘Airport operations at Hong Kong International Airport have been seriously disrupted as a result of the public assembly at the airport today,’ the airport authority said in a statement
A man looks at the flight information board shows outbound flights was cancel at the Hong Kong International airport
Passengers arrive at the departure gate as anti-extradition bill protesters rally at of Hong Kong International Airport
At the airport, protesters gathered and hold signs including ‘Hong Kong is not safe’ and ‘Shame on police’. They were responding to allegations that police were using increasingly violent tactics to suppress protests.
‘Hong Kong’s radical demonstrators have repeatedly used extremely dangerous tools to attack police officers, which already constitutes a serious violent crime, and also shows the first signs of terrorism emerging,’ said Yang Guang.
‘This wantonly tramples on Hong Kong’s rule of law and social order.’
On Friday, Beijing told Cathay Pacific that staff involved in the protests that have gripped Hong Kong for more than two months would be banned from flights to the mainland.
The airline has already said it will comply with those regulations, citing the importance of its business in China and the requirement to adhere to local rules.
Some of the 5,000 activists occupying the airport’s arrivals hall for a fourth day went to the departure area and caused disruptions, Hong Kong police told a news conference, but declined to say if they would move to clear the demonstrators
The increasingly violent protests have plunged the Chinese-ruled territory into its most serious crisis in decades, presenting Chinese leader Xi Jinping with one of his biggest popular challenges since he came to power in 2012. Pictured, protesters hold signboards to condemn police violence and caution incoming travellers at the city’s bustling today
One protester holds a modified Hong Kong subway map. Tear gas was deployed in central Hong Kong on both sides of Victoria Harbour, in the Tsim Sha Tsui area on the Kowloon side and in Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island over the weekend
Protesters hold placards in foreign languages, including Japanese and Korean, as they occupy the arrival hall of the airport
Monday’s rally came as China’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs office said the city had reached a critical juncture and after police had made a show of demonstrating a powerful water cannon. One protester is seen accusing police of using violence
But in a Monday message to staff, chief executive Rupert Hogg reiterated that Cathay Pacific employees would also face ‘disciplinary consequences’ if they get involved in the pro-democracy protests.
‘Cathay Pacific Group has a zero tolerance approach to illegal activities. Specifically, in the current context, there will be disciplinary consequences for employees who support or participate in illegal protests,’ Hogg wrote.
‘These consequences could be serious and may include termination of employment.’
Hogg also specifically warned employees not to support or participate in a new protest at Hong Kong airport called Monday.
Hong Kong is at a critical juncture after two months of anti-government street protests and violence there must stop, China’s Hong Kong and Macau affairs office said on Monday. Pictured, protesters demonstrate at the airport in Hong Kong today
Increasingly restive protests have plunged Hong Kong into its most serious political crisis in decades, posing a challenge to the central government in Beijing. Pictured, demonstrators hold up placards to protest against alleged police brutality
Yang Guang, a spokesman for the office in Beijing, delivered a televised address in which he backed police handling of the protests and said that those who care about the city should come out against violence. Pictured, anti-extradition bill protesters try to get close to the security gates during a mass demonstration today after a woman was shot in the eye
Hong Kong has experienced more than two months of mass protests calling for democratic reforms and an independent enquiry into police conduct. Pictured, anti-extradition bill protesters attend a mass demonstration at the airport today
The protest movement’s demands also include the resignation of the Chinese territory’s leader and an election for her successor. Hong Kong, a former British colony, was returned to China in 1997 under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle
And he reminded staff that the ‘actions and words of our employees made outside of working hours can have a significant effect on the company.’
The protests in Hong Kong have infuriated Beijing and left Cathay Pacific in a difficult position.
It has already suspended a pilot who has been accused of rioting after allegedly participating in the Hong Kong protests.
And it said Saturday that it had fired two airport ground staff, without specifying why. Local media reported that they were accused of leaking the travel details of a Hong Kong police football team that was travelling to the mainland.
The firm is facing a boycott call in China, and its shares dropped more than four percent in Hong Kong trade on Monday.
Today, legislators and journalists were invited to witness the display of extreme crowd control tactics, which Amnesty International warned last week could lead to serious injuries if misused within Hong Kong’s confined spaces.
Over the weekend, protesters hurled bricks at officers and ignored warnings to leave before tear gas was deployed in the Sham Shui Po area, police said, calling a march there an ‘unauthorised assembly’. Pictured, a man watches over the huge crowd of protesters gathering at the arrival hall of Hong Kong International Airport today as the city’s protests continue
Protesters gather to condemn the city’s police after one female was shot by a bean bag round in the right eye on Sunday
Tear gas was also deployed in Hong Kong on both sides of Victoria Harbour, in the Tsim Sha Tsui area on the Kowloon side and in Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island. At one point, protesters blocked the entrance to a plaza to prevent police from entering. Pictured, protesters occupy the arrival hall of the Hong Kong International Airport today after another weekend of clashes
A train station in Kwai Fong filled with smoke after about a dozen police officers fired tear gas inside. It was not clear how many protesters were inside the station at the time, but it has been rare for officers to fire tear gas indoors
During the weekend protests, website Hong Kong Free Press showed footage of one arrest that appeared to include officers pinning a demonstrator to the ground. The young man, who said his name was Chow Ka-lok and asked for a lawyer, was shown with a bleeding head wound and said he had a broken tooth.
Another female demonstrator was hit by a beanbag round fired by police in Tsim Sha Tsui during a clash on Sunday.
An ER doctor said the woman’s right eyeball was ruptured and there were fears she could lose her eye, according to South China Morning Post.
A protester is surrounded by riot police in the Tsim Sha Tsui area on August 11. Pro-democracy protesters have continued rallies against a controversial extradition bill since June 9, when the city was plunged into crisis after waves of demonstrations and several violent clashes
Protesters take cover from tear gas and rubber bullets fired from the police station in the Tsim Sha Tsui area after another evening of clashes with police
Protesters use a slingshot during more clashes with police at a demonstration in the Tsim Sha Tsui area. More protests are planned for later in the week
A protester is held down by riot police after a demonstration. Chants of ‘Liberate Hong Kong’ had earlier echoed through the streets
Pro-democracy leaders were calling for as many as one million people to head to the Hong Kong airport after 40 people were injured across the city during the violent confrontations over the weekend, the report said.
Police have also reported injuries among their ranks, including eye irritation from laser pointers and burns from a petrol bomb.
Protesters hurled bricks at officers and ignored warnings to leave before tear gas was deployed in the Sham Shui Po area, police said, calling a march there an ‘unauthorised assembly’.
Tear gas was also deployed in central Hong Kong on both sides of Victoria Harbour, in the Tsim Sha Tsui area on the Kowloon side and in Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island. At one point, protesters blocked the entrance to a plaza to prevent police from entering.
A train station in Kwai Fong filled with smoke after about a dozen police officers fired tear gas inside. It was not clear how many protesters were inside the station at the time, but it has been rare for officers to fire tear gas indoors.
Earlier, a large group of mostly young protesters marched down the middle of Hennessey Road, a main shopping street in the Causeway Bay area, as a rally was held in nearby Victoria Park. Many wore face masks to shield their identities, and a few had helmets. Others just carried backpacks over the black T-shirts that have become their uniform.
The protest movement’s demands include the resignation of the Chinese territory’s leader, Carrie Lam, democratic elections for her successor, the release of those arrested in earlier protests and an investigation into police use of force.
A former British colony, Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997 under the principle of ‘one country, two systems,’ which promises the city certain democratic rights not afforded to people on the mainland. But in recent years, some have accused the Communist Party-ruled central government of steadily chipping away at their freedoms.
Anti-extradition bill protesters react from tear gas as riot police try to disperse them during a protest at Sham Shui Po in Hong Kong in the 10th week of violent showdowns
Police arrest anti-government protesters during a rally in Sham Shui Po in yet another day of demonstrations that has plunged Hong Kong into its most serious crisis in decades
Protesters with umbrellas and homemade shields as they face with riot policemen on a street in Hong Kong as police fired tear gas late Sunday afternoon to try to disperse a demonstration
Pro-Democracy protesters throw back tear gas fired by the police during a demonstratrion against the controversial extradition bill in Sham Shui Po district
An anti-extradition bill protester throws a tear gas canister during a demonstration in Wan Chai neighbourhood in Hong Kong
Police officers fire tear gas as anti-extradition bill protesters demonstrate in Sham Shui Po neighbourhood in Hong Kong
Banners at the rally in Victoria Park read ‘Give Hong Kong back to us’ and ‘Withdraw the evil law,’ the latter a reference to an extradition bill that was the original spark for the protests. A large crowd sat under umbrellas, which are both a protest symbol in Hong Kong and protection from the summer heat.
At the airport, a flight attendant protesting on his day off, who gave only his surname, Lau, said heavy-handed police tactics had alienated some among the public.
‘The police have told a lot of lies to Hong Kong people. We cannot believe them any more. We have to come here to protest,’ Lau said. China has reportedly threatened to bar air crew who take part in protests from its air space.
Another protester, who identified herself only as Bea, said she had taken the day off work to express her outrage.
‘I feel that I have to do something… It’s just too sad to see what has happened. The police action has gone totally nonsensical,’ she said.
Hong Kong police unveil water cannon trucks
Hong Kong police have staged a water cannon demonstration as pro-democracy street protests stretched into their 10th week with no sign of either side backing down.
The demonstration of specially equipped armoured cars came after another weekend of protests at Hong Kong’s bustling international airport and on the streets of one of the city’s main shopping districts.
Legislators and journalists were invited to witness the display of extreme crowd control tactics, which Amnesty International warned last week could lead to serious injuries if misused within Hong Kong’s confined spaces.
Hong Kong police stage a water cannon demonstration today at the Police Tactical Unit compound. The demonstration of specially equipped armoured cars came after another weekend of protests at Hong Kong’s airport and on the streets
Legislators and journalists were invited to witness the display of extreme crowd control tactics, which Amnesty International warned last week could lead to serious injuries if misused within Hong Kong’s confined spaces
Last week, Hong Kong police revealed a type of spraying liquid dye that could help them catch protesters who wear masks to conceal their identity.
Once sprayed onto a person at a demonstration site, the liquid dye could stay on their skin or clothing, which would make it easier for the police to identify relevant individuals if necessary, the police said.
Such liquid dye, said to be harmless and edible, could be added into water or tear gas solution, said a spokesperson.
A dummy as a protester is showered by an anti-riot vehicle equipped with water cannon during a demonstration today