Riot police with helmets and shields faced off against protesters in the Admiralty and Wanchai districts of the city. The ongoing rallies are the latest manifestation of growing fears that China is stamping down on the city's freedoms and culture with the help of the finance hub's pro-Beijing leaders. Pro-democracy activists have organised a march every handover anniversary, calling for greater democratic freedoms -- such as the right to elect the city's leader. The event had been scaled back and barriers erected around the square over fears that anti-government protesters might try to disrupt the event. "Our city's freedoms are shrinking, it's going in a more authoritarian direction."

Source: The Nation Bangkok July 01, 2019 00:22 UTC