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Added on the 05/02/2020 06:19:00 - Copyright : AFP EN
Hundreds of Hong Kong protesters run onto and block a major road -- the scene of the 2014 79-day sit-in protest. The activists kick off what is expected to be an intense period of protests, aiming to cast a shadow over communist China's momentous anniversary celebrations. IMAGES
Riot police stand guard as protesters block a major highway in central Hong Kong on Monday, the anniversary of the city's handover to China. IMAGES
Tens of thousands of people hold candles and yellow umbrellas at an annual vigil to commemorate China's 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. Rough Cut (no reporter narration)
The US says it is "alarmed" after Hong Kong legislators fast-tracked a new national security law that introduces penalties such as life imprisonment for crimes related to treason and insurrection, and up to 20 years in jail for the theft of state secrets. "We believe that these kinds of actions have the potential to accelerate the closing of Hong Kong’s once open society," US Department of State deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel tells reporters during a press briefing. SOUNDBITE
Images of police and journalists outside the West Kowloon Law Courts Building, where Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai is due to stand trial in the Chinese city on national security charges that could see him jailed for life. IMAGES
Hong Kong's largest-ever national security trial begins final arguments Wednesday, more than 1,000 days after the case against 47 democracy activists under the Beijing-imposed law began. IMAGES