The tactic mystified former Hong Kong police officers as they watched coverage of hundreds of protesters, mostly students in hard hats and masks, roaming the plush, multistorey complex, vandalizing furniture and daubing graffiti over the walls. “What were they thinking when they decided to let them into the Legislative Council?” asked Chris Pedder, a retired 22-year veteran of the Hong Kong police who now works as a counter terrorism and security consultant. The violence was not shown on the mainland where Communist Party censors have blocked news of the Hong Kong protests, wary that any large public rallies could inspire demonstrations closer to home. TV screens went black on the BBC and CNN when they showed related reports in mainland China. Hong Kong pro-democracy leader Martin Lee said he believed the authorities had allowed Monday’s protest to take place.

Source: National Post July 02, 2019 13:54 UTC