Police fire tear gas to disperse anti-government protesters in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019. (Photo: Vincent Thian/AP)
A pro-democracy protester was shot and at least 30 were arrested as violent clashes rocked Hong Kong streets Tuesday while China celebrated the 70th anniversary of communist rule.
Beijing marked National Day and "national rejuvenation" with a military parade and fireworks, but in Hong Kong tens of thousands of demonstrators held a "national grief" march. Some black-clad protesters clashed with police who fired water cannons and tear gas into the crowd.
Fires burned on Hong Kong streets, many subway stations were closed and many shops were shuttered as police warned residents to remain in their homes.
President Donald Trump lauded Chinese President Xi JinPing but made no mention of Hong Kong in a brief tweet Tuesday: "Congratulations to President Xi and the Chinese people on the 70th Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China!"
In Hong Kong, video recorded by a student group appeared to show several protesters hurling objects at pursuing riot police. One officer drew his gun and fired, and a protester collapsed as the others fled.
“The so-called National Day is a day for mourning. We are mourning those who sacrificed for democracy in China,” former lawmaker Lee Cheuk-yan told the South China Morning Post. “It’s 70 years of suppression. We mourn that, and we also condemn the fact that the Hong Kong government together with Chinese government denied the people of Hong Kong the right to democracy.”
Police Senior Superintendent Yolanda Yu Hoi-kwan said police were "saddened" that an 18-year-old man was shot near his left shoulder.
"A large group of rioters attacked police officers," she said. "As an officer felt his life was under serious threat, he fired a round at the assailant to save his own life and his colleagues’ lives."
She added that protesters have been repeatedly warned to stop breaking the law.
"The police force really did not want to see anyone being injured, so we feel very sad about this," she said, adding that "We will strictly enforce the law." (AP)
Riot police arrive after protestors vandalize in Hong Kong, Sept. 29, 2019. (Photo: Vincent Yu/AP)
A black-clad protester wearing goggles and a mask stomps on a burning Chinese flag in Hong Kong, Sept. 28, 2019. (Photo: Vincent Thian/AP)
A protester throws a tear gas round back at police during the demonstration in Hong Kong, Sept. 29, 2019. (Photo: Kin Cheung/AP)
Marching anti-government protesters are seen through a glass with peeled off posters, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, in Hong Kong while the celebration of the People's Republic's 70th anniversary is taking place in Beijing. (Photo: Vincent Yu/AP)
Anti-government protesters vandalize a MTR public transport station in Hong Kong, Oct. 1, 2019. In a fearsome escalation of violence, Hong Kong police shot a protester at close range in the chest Tuesday, leaving the teenager bleeding and howling on the ground. (Photo: Kin Cheung/AP)
An anti-government protester's umbrella lies on the ground after a clash with police in Hong Kong, Oct. 1, 2019. (Photo: Vincent Yu/AP)
Police detain an anti-government protester in Hong Kong, Oct. 1, 2019. Thousands of black-clad protesters marched in central Hong Kong as part of multiple pro-democracy rallies Tuesday urging China's Communist Party to "return power to the people" as the party celebrated its 70th year of rule. (Photo: Felipe Dana/AP)
A black-clad protestor stands inside a vandalized government office building in Hong Kong, Oct. 1, 2019. (Photo: Felipe Dana/AP)
A row of motor-cycles go up in flames as anti-government protesters clash with police in Hong Kong, Oct. 1, 2019. (Photo: Felipe Dana/AP)
Police detain an anti-government protester in Hong Kong, Oct. 1, 2019. (Photo: Felipe Dana/AP)
A black-clad protestor stands by graffiti on the wall in Hong Kong, Oct. 1, 2019. (Photo: Felipe Dana/AP)
A protestor kicks back an exploded tear gas shell in Hong Kong, Oct. 1, 2019. (Photo: Felipe Dana/AP)
A mask hangs at the entrance of a closed public transport station in Hong Kong, Oct. 1, 2019. (Photo: Felipe Dana/AP)
Anti-government protesters march past police headquarters in Hong Kong, Oct. 1, 2019. (Photo: Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP)
Anti-government protesters wearing masks march past police headquarters in Hong Kong, Oct. 1, 2019. (Photo: Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP)
Anti-government protesters set fire to block traffic in Hong Kong, Oct. 1, 2019. (Photo: Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP)
A black-clad protestor splashes water on the face of a woman after police fired tear gas shells in Hong Kong, Oct. 1, 2019. (Photo: Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP)
Protestors take cover in Hong Kong, Oct. 1, 2019. A Hong Kong police official says a pro-democracy protester was shot when an officer opened fire with his revolver during clashes. (Photo: Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP)
Anti-government protesters vandalize photographs of Chinese President Xi Jinping as they march in Hong Kong, Oct. 1, 2019. (Photo: Vincent Yu/AP)
Anti-government protesters waving U.S. flags march in Hong Kong, Oct. 1, 2019. (Photo: Vincent Yu/AP)
Anti-government protesters wearing masks march in Hong Kong, Oct. 1, 2019. (Photo: Vincent Yu/AP)
Police fire tear gas at anti-government protesters at Shatin, Hong Kong, Oct. 1, 2019. (Photo: Kin Cheung/AP)
Anti-government protesters make fire to block traffic as they clash with police in Hong Kong, Oct. 1, 2019. (Photo: Vincent Thian/AP)
Black-clad protestors hold gasoline bombs in Hong Kong, Oct. 1, 2019. (Photo: Vincent Thian/AP)
Protestors sit on a littered street in Hong Kong, Oct. 1, 2019. (Photo: Vincent Thian/AP)
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