Hong Kong protesters smash windows and try to storm legislature

Protesters smashed the windows of Hong Kong's legislature on Monday as they attempted to storm the building on the 22nd anniversary of the former British colony's handover to China.

Citizens of Hong Kong — a Special Administrative Region of China — rally on this day each year to demand for democracy.  But experts had warned this this year's anniversary might attract more people after recent protests, which started in early June, against the government's proposed extradition bill. The controversial law would pave the way for people arrested in Hong Kong to stand trial in mainland China.

Scenes of chaos were apparent in some protest sites on Monday as thousands of pro-democracy protesters took to the streets to demonstrate against a recent proposed extradition bill.

Police, who were on standby as the protests grew increasingly chaotic, said some 1,500 protesters had gathered near the Hong Kong government headquarters on Monday.

Reuters reported that more than 100 riot police confronted protesters, beating some with batons and using pepper spray to disperse the crowds gathered to disrupt a planned ceremony to mark the July 1 handover in 1997.

Anti-extradition protesters outside the Legislative Council Complex ahead of the annual flag raising ceremony of 22nd anniversary of the city's handover from Britain to China on July 1, 2019 in Hong Kong, China.

Anthony Kwan | Getty Images

The president of Hong Kong's Legislative Council, released a statement through a spokesperson saying he "strongly condemns the violent act of charging the Legislative Council building this afternoon," according to a translation by CNBC. "Protesters pushed a steel cart and used steel bars to severely vandalize multiple parts of the Legislative Council building," the statement said.

Meanwhile, a separate group of Hong Kong protesters rallied on Sunday and Monday in support of the local police and Beijing for trying to maintain order. Police were also hurt, with local media showing that 13 police officers were burned by liquid sprayed by demonstrators.

It's a proposal, or a set of proposals, which strike a terrible blow ... against the rule of law, against Hong Kong's stability and security, against Hong Kong's position as a great international trading hub.

Chris Patten

Hong Kong's last British governor

The Hong Kong government on suspended the controversial bill on June 15, following days of protests which became one of the city's largest and most violent rally in decades.

Speaking at the flag- raising ceremony marking the 22nd anniversary on Monday, Chief Executive Carrie Lam finally again after being accused for not being seen in public since June 18 — when she made a public apology for stoking anxiety and conflict with the unpopular plan.

Public outrage over how she handled the protests, including her issued apologies through the city's spokespeople, have led to outcries for her resignation.

Lam said on Monday: "The incident that happened in recent months has led to controversies and disputes between the public and the government. This has made me fully realize that I, as a politician, have to remind myself all the time of the need to grasp public sentiments accurately."

"After this incident, I will learn the lesson and ensure that the government's future work will be closer and more responsive to the aspirations, sentiments and opinions of the community," she added.

'Volatile' situation

"This year's anniversary is shaping up to be quite volatile due to the unresolved nature of the extradition bill," said Andrew Colfan at Eurasia Group. "While some pro-democracy forces have accepted the 'compromise' of only a partial withdrawal of the bill, others continue to fight for the full withdrawal, as well as Carrie Lam's resignation."

Lam has been criticized for mishandling the police violence against the protesters in Hong Kong and only acting on behalf of the Chinese government.

Protesters saw the proposed extradition bill as just another step by Beijing to jeopardize Hong Kong's autonomy, but the Chinese government has denied any interference.

Addressing the public, Lam said on Monday: "Every one of us in Hong Kong, though holding different views and assuming different roles, loves this place and treasures our long-cherished values. I and the (Hong Kong) government will double our efforts to restore people's confidence and get Hong Kong off to a new start."

Hong Kong has already lost much of its freedom to Beijing's encroachment.

Andrew Colfan

analyst, Eurasia Group

The area around Golden Bauhinia Square, where the flag-raising ceremony took place has been blocked off since Saturday to prevent protesters from gathering to disrupt it.

But protesters started setting up barricades across nearby streets as early as 4:30 a.m. local time, leading to a standoff with police blocking access to the square. They began moving toward the police as the ceremony was about to take place at 8 a.m. While officers drove back demonstrators with plastic shields, the retreating protesters pointed open umbrellas to ward off pepper spray.

Business concerns

Hong Kong has been divided between pro-democracy and pro-Beijing groups for years.

While the Chinese government has tightened its control over the city but also given the territory access to the world's largest economy.

Businesses have usually steered away from criticizing the Chinese government over any policies regarding the administration of Hong Kong, in fear of losing any economic benefits the territory currently enjoys.

Under the the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement — also known as CEPA — Hong Kong enjoys highly liberalized trade in goods and services with China and has since become the gateway to the Chinese market for many international companies.

Skyscrapers in the business district of Central in Hong Kong, China.

Xaume Olleros | Bloomberg | Getty Images

But even pro-business groups have recently showed concern for Hong Kong's independent judiciary system.

"It's a proposal, or a set of proposals, which strike a terrible blow ... against the rule of law, against Hong Kong's stability and security, against Hong Kong's position as a great international trading hub," Hong Kong's last British governor, Chris Patten, said in June.

Colfan echoed that sentiment saying: "Hong Kong has already lost much of its freedom to Beijing's encroachment."

The momentum for Monday's protest is probably mostly because "the lack of a clear resolution to the extradition bill situation has bled over into the anniversary and will heighten tensions throughout the day," he added. "Protesters will be wary of police action, and the authorities risk escalating the situation in an attempt to control it."

As for how this might affect the mainland China government, Colfan said, "There is little direct threat from these movements to Beijing or immediate impact on mainland China."

"As a result of these protests, they will likely seek to calm tensions over the short-to-medium term, instead drawing Hong Kong closer to the mainland through increased investment and other, less headline-grabbing means."

– CNBC's Vivian Kam, Yolande Chee and Reuters contributed to this report.

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