But protests in Hong Kong looked set to cast a long shadow over Beijing’s carefully-choreographed projection of national unity. Control of Hong Kong is handed back to China from the UK. A series of major pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong challenge Chinese rule there. Some, who have expressed support for the Hong Kong protests, have had to promise they won’t travel to the city until well after the anniversary. Police arrested a number of people ahead of the protests on suspicion of conspiracy to make offensive weapons, Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) reported.

Source: The Guardian September 30, 2019 22:40 UTC