| Supplemental Info:
While the alert message below is written in cautiously worded diplomatic language, the potential for widespread violent clashes between demonstrators and police is HIGH.
The Chinese government is going to great lengths to promote their 70th anniversary celebrations in Beijing. The event will include a large military parade with approximately 15,000 soldiers and the latest military technology at Tiananmen Square, a patriotic show of strength to demonstrate to the world the country's emergence as a global superpower. A second parade involving 100,000 civilians will follow the military.
Pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong are expected to attempt to steal the spotlight.
Hong Kong Police Superintendent John Tse is quoted in local media as saying the protests will be "very, very dangerous."
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Demonstration Alert
U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong and Macau
30 September 2019
Location:- Hong Kong
- Hong Kong International Airport
- Hong Kong Transit Systems
- Central
- Chater Garden
- Edinburgh Place
- Admiralty
- Tamar Park
- Causeway Bay
- Victoria Park
- Wan Chai
- Sham Shui Po
- Tsuen Wan
- Sha Tin
- Tuen Mun
- Wong Tai Sin
Event:
Tuesday, October 1, is China’s National Day holiday. Media report the Civil Human Rights Front’s application for a permit to march that day at 2:00 p.m. from Victoria Park in Causeway Bay to Chater Garden in Central has been denied. While CHRF has cancelled its march, other protesters have called for demonstrations at six different locations on October 1 at 1:00 p.m. Those locations include Wan Chai, Sham Shui Po, Tsuen Wan, Sha Tin, Tuen Mun, and Wong Tai Sin. Any protests that take place without a permit are considered illegal. These protests might disrupt transportation across Hong Kong. Since June 2019, large scale and smaller political demonstrations have taken place in various areas of Hong Kong, including MTR stations, shopping malls, and at Hong Kong International Airport. While protests are generally peaceful, they sometimes become violent. We continue to see confrontations between protesters and police, during which police have used a variety of crowd control measures, including the deployment of tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons. The protests and confrontations have spilled over into neighborhoods other than those where the police have permitted marches or rallies. These demonstrations, which can take place with little or no notice, are likely to continue. Actions to Take:- Monitor local media, local transportations sites and apps like MTR Mobile or CitybusNWFB, and the Hong Kong International Airport website for updates.
- Avoid the areas of the demonstrations.
- Exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Keep a low profile.
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