Thousands of people again took to the streets of Hong Kong, Sunday, August 4, to demonstrate against the government. Police used tear gas to disperse several hundred demonstrators on the island of Hong Kong, the center of political and economic institutions of the territory.

Other demonstrations also took place in the New Territories sector in Tseung Kwan O. At the end of the day, protesters took over the leadership of the Chinese Liaison Office, a recurring tension spot since the beginning of the protests.

The police explained that these protesters "were taking part in an unauthorized assembly". The night before, hundreds of riot police fired tear gas grenades during clashes with blackblocks in the Kowloon area.

In Pictures: Protesters occupy roads around Hong Kong Island after fleeing police tear gas in Sai Wan #HongKong #NoToChinaExtradition #china #antiELABhttps: //t.co/b26y66rz7Y

Hong Kong Free Press (@HongKongFP) August 4, 2019

Protesters set fire to bins and blocked access to the Cross-Harbor Tunnel, the tunnel that links Hong Kong Island to the Kowloon Peninsula, on the mainland of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

More than 20 people were later arrested on charges of assault and unlawful assembly, police said in a statement released on Sunday. Activists also called for a general strike Monday in the transport sector and business districts.

The tussle with Beijing hardens

The protest movement, born of the rejection of a bill that would have allowed the extradition of suspects to mainland China, has expanded since June to broader demands, including the resignation of the head of the local executive, Carrie Lam, supported by Beijing, and the protection of freedoms and autonomy enjoyed by Hong Kong since its handover to China in 1997.

Many Hong Kongese believe that this particular regime, summarized by the formula "one country, two systems", is now threatened by the Chinese central government. "Even if Carrie Lam resigns, nothing will be solved, this is the Communist Party, the Chinese government," says Angie, who works for an NGO, crossed Sunday in the crowd.

The level of violence has also increased over the weeks, with the police accused of using excessive force against protesters and failing to protect them against attacks by police. gangs.

The movement, which officials have rallied for the first time on Friday, is the most serious political crisis in Hong Kong since the handover. It is also a challenge to Chinese President Xi Jinping on an unprecedented scale since taking office in 2012.

In a cautionary-like article, the official China news agency writes on Sunday that "the central government will not sit idly by and will not let this situation drag on". "We firmly believe that Hong Kong will be able to overcome the difficulties and challenges ahead," China adds.

With AFP