Demonstrations for democracy have been going on since June and New Year's Eve was no exception. When police tried to clear streets on umbrellas, benches and Christmas decorations, protesters fled, but at least one person has been arrested, Reuters reports.
New Year celebrations in Hong Kong usually include a spectacular fireworks show, but it was canceled this year.
- It is because you could use the fireworks to perform explosive acts. The mainland Chinese are very worried about this movement, which is considered to be militant and used violence, says Niklas Swanström, head of the Institute for Security and Development Policy.
"Feel that democracy is rooted"He says that up to 2,000 people have been seriously injured since the protests started and that protesters believe that suicides that have happened can be linked to the government's actions.
"The protesters feel that democracy is so out of date and that the two-system solution that they are promised, that is, two political systems in a country, nowadays according to many are just words and no content," says Niklas Swanström.
Right now, the relationship between China and Hong Kong is very tough and it is characterized by mutual suspicion from both sides.
- I think next year will be a tough year. I think it will be a year where we see a restriction on democracy, economic freedom and greater control of all aspects of life in Hong Kong, ”says Niklas Swanström.