Hong Kong protest news: Car ploughs into protesters as strikes bring city to a standstill

Megan White5 August 2019

The leader of Hong Kong said she had no plans to resign as strikes brought the city to a standstill, with a car ploughing into protesters at one roadblock.

Carrie Lam maintained that she will remain as the country’s leader in the face of ongoing protests, with Monday’s strike leading leading to more than 100 flight cancellations and major traffic disruptions.

One group who had gathered outside Yoho Mall in Yuen Long were injured after a car tried to break through their roadblock, prompting fighting in the street.

There was allegedly an altercation, with protesters smashing the man's windscreen before he jumped back into his car and accelerated into them.

Protesters struck the morning rush hour, blocking train and platform doors to prevent subway and commuter rail trains from leaving their stations.

Demonstrators in face masks refused to move from train entry points in several stations, and commuters found themselves stranded on crowded platforms, with some requiring medical attention.

Ms Lam said the semi-autonomous Chinese city is on "the verge of a very dangerous situation," adding that current protests were operating with "ulterior motives" that threaten Hong Kong's prosperity and security.

Fire burns as protestors stand off against riot police during a protest in the Causeway Bay district
Getty Images

She said: "I don't think at this point in time, resignation of myself or some of my colleagues would provide a better solution.”

More than 100 flights were cancelled after a large number of airport employees called in sick in apparent participation in the general strike, Hong Kong media reported.

Public broadcaster RTHK said Cathay Pacific and other domestic carriers such as Hong Kong Airlines were the most affected. Airport express train service was also suspended.

Protesters prevent the doors of a MTR underground train from closing at Fortress Hill station
AFP/Getty Images

The citywide strike and demonstrations came after a weekend of clashes between protesters and riot police on the streets.

Demonstrations began in June against proposed extradition legislation that would have allowed residents to be sent to mainland China to stand trial.

While the government has since suspended the bill, protesters have pressed on with broader calls for democratic reforms and an investigation into alleged police brutality.

Hong Kong protests - In pictures

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The Communist Party-led central government in Beijing has condemned what they call violent and radical protesters who have vandalized the Chinese national anthem and national flag on the sidelines of major rallies.

China has accused unnamed "foreign forces" of inflaming the demonstrations out of a desire to contain the country's development.

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