Police linked to first protest death . . .
The recent death of a student protester in Hong Kong has plunged the city into further chaos, riling protesters and putting the city on alert. Chow Tsz-lok, a 22-year-old student at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, died today from injuries sustained after falling from parkade during anti-government demonstrations earlier this week. While details around the fall remain unclear, local media reported that around the time of the student’s fall, officers were nearby dispersing protesters using tear gas and rubber bullets. This marks the first death directly related to anti-government demonstrations since the protests begun in June.
Anti-government sentiments continue to boil . . .
Public anger stemming from the incident has ignited a new round of protests, with demonstrators reiterating one of their four remaining key demands be met: an independent inquiry into alleged police brutality. As the city continues to deal with the ongoing protests, Chief Executive Carrie Lam met with President Xi Jinping in Shanghai on Monday. In attempt to restore confidence in the Hong Kong government, Xi stated that he had a “high degree of trust” in Lam, acknowledging that her government has “strive[d] to stabilize the situation.”
Upcoming local elections at litmus test . . .
These recent events may spillover to the upcoming District Council elections on November 24. As both pro-democracy and pro-Beijing parties compete for over 400 district councillor seats, the election may become a litmus test for political support for pro-democracy and pro-government supporters. Beijing’s rhetoric coming out of a recent meeting of China's Communist Party leadership late last month called for Hong Kong to “safeguard national security,” “strengthen law enforcement power,” and increase “patriotic education” for its young people, suggesting Beijing may take on a greater role in the Hong Kong situation.
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- The Guardian: China signals desire to bring Hong Kong under tighter control
- The Wall Street Journal: Death of a student riles protesters, puts Hong Kong on alert
- The Washington Post: Student’s death plunges Hong Kong into night of grief and fury
