Scores of demonstrators in Hong Kong have objected to take part in and disrupted the celebration of the Chinese National Day on Oct, 1.
According to local sources, more than 5,000 protesters braved the bad weather to continue to register their dissent with Hong Kong and Chinese authorities. The protests were reportedly centered in Admiralty and Central districts. Observers say the police took a notably peaceful appraoch this time following clashes with protesters over the weekend.
During the flag raising ceremony at the Golden Bauhinia Square, the protesters, who bore signs saying 'Stay Calm' and 'We Come in Peace' reportedly booed during the singing of the national anthem as they made clamoring calls for "real democracy." Nonetheless, the ceremony, which featured chief executive Leung Chun-ying and many top Hong Kong and Chinese officials, continued uninterrupted.
There has been palpable tension in the island in the build up to this important occasion. Many commentators had noted that more protesters are expected to fill the streets during the short holiday to mark the National Day. Although the Golden week is a period when luxurious shops - spurred by the spending power of visitors from mainland China - traditionally record high sales, this year however local sources say many outlets have remained shut out of fear of attacks.
Earlier in the week, the Hong Kong government announced that the highly anticipated National Day fireworks display will not come on this year. Although officials have pinned inaccessibility to viewing sites as the reason for eliminating the colorful ceremonial explosions from the list of activities to mark the 65th anniversary of the birth of the Peoples Republic of China, many pundits have noted that security concerns may have also influenced that decision.
Since last week, thousands of protesters have staged a series of demonstrations that are being described as the 'Occupy Central movement.' The protesters, who are demanding democratic reforms in the country, have called for the reversal of the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee's decision that Hong Kong leaders will be selected by a "broadly representative" committee. They have also called for the removal of chief executive Leung, who is seen as the center piece in the pro-Beijing government.
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