- Tweeter
republish
Chinese President who officially reiterates his intention to respect the principle of balance between Beijing and Hong Kong. The statement should not be enough to calm the protesters Hong Kong. They called to protest today, while Hong Kong under high security. Protesters want to hit the mark with half a dozen planned rallies.
With our special correspondent in Hong Kong , Vincent Souriau
This is the strategy of the pro-democracy group : six demonstrations at the same time in different districts of the city to mobilize the maximum number of protesters.
The idea is to avoid a single procession that could be quickly surrounded by the police . The organizers want to reassure families, ordinary citizens who want to go out on the streets, but who have become scared in recent days after violent clashes between youth and security forces.
Closed public buildings
The atmosphere remains very serene for the moment. We saw passers-by doing their shopping, going to church, people playing tennis in public parks, jogging, as if nothing had happened. On the other hand, the public buildings are barricaded: the seat of the government, the Parliament, the big Chinese banks also.
The Hong Kong authorities have erected protective walls, remove street furniture that could serve as a projectile. Several large shopping centers have decided to close their doors before the demonstrations. There are a total of 6,000 police deployed in the city.
So far, it's very quiet, still few people for these unauthorized gatherings that have just started.
►To read too : Hong Kong: high school students in the street amid police violence
Pro-democracy traders who assume their positions
Wooden table, soft lighting, industrial decoration. It's a small fashionable bar. The manager's name is Mandy, and it does not bother him at all to be labeled pro-democracy. He does not hide it, he supports the protest movement .
" What happened, " he says, " is that in July, during the demonstrations, there were young guys stuck outside under the teargas who could not go home. I invited them to enter the bar, I put them in the shelter, and I think that's how I was designated close to the movement. "
Risk of climbing
The risk of escalation, pointing fingers at some pro-Beijing or pro-democracy businesses? Is not it encouraging violence? For him, both sides have already passed this stage.
" Anyway we have no choice," he continues. Given the situation, if you are supposedly "neutral", if you hide your opinions, it is because in a certain way you are already taking a position. You'll just hide yourself to avoid problems. Do not try to flee politics because she will find you. We are here. So as much to make all public, like that, there is no more ambiguity. "
It did not happen, but if I am targeted by the pro-Chinese camp, the friends will come to defend me, he said. With mobile applications or even passersby, in 5 minutes, I will have the world on my side.
►Also read : China: a 70th birthday that falls at the wrong time