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Hong Kong protests: Man dies after being hit 'by hard object' during protests Hong Kong protests: Man dies after being hit 'by hard object' during protests
(about 1 hour later)
A 70-year-old man has died in Hong Kong after being struck on the head during clashes between pro-democracy protesters and government supporters. A 70-year-old man has died in Hong Kong after being struck on the head during clashes between government supporters and protesters.
Officials said the man was on a lunch break from his job as a cleaner when he was hit in the head by "hard objects hurled by masked rioters".Officials said the man was on a lunch break from his job as a cleaner when he was hit in the head by "hard objects hurled by masked rioters".
The incident came less than a week after a student died after falling from a building during a police operation. It comes as China's president Xi Jinping said the "one country, two systems" system was being "challenged".
Hong Kong has been dogged by more than five months of political unrest.Hong Kong has been dogged by more than five months of political unrest.
In a statement on Thursday, Hong Kong's government said it was "saddened" by the incident. The man was described as an outsourced worker of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD). Less than a week ago, Alex Chow, a 22-year-old student, died after falling from a building during a police operation.
"Masked rioters conducted extremely dangerous and violent acts in various districts three days in a row, where they wantonly assaulted other members of the public," the statement added. What happened to the man?
"The acts are outrageous." The 70-year-old cleaner was hit in the head during a protest on Wednesday in the Hong Kong border town of Sheung Shui.
Video purported to be of the incident shows protesters and government supporters throwing bricks at each other before the man falls to the ground after being struck in the head. Video purported to be of the incident shows two groups throwing bricks at each other before the man falls to the ground after being struck on the head.
The FEHD said the clashes took place on Wednesday and the man died at hospital the following day. A police superintendent told news outlet SCMP that he was not involved in the protest, but was "only taking pictures at the scene".
Police said they were investigating the incident. He passed away in hospital on Thursday.
Last Friday 22-year-old student protester Alex Chow died after falling from the ledge of a car park during a police operation to clear the area. Reports say he was trying to get away from tear gas. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said the man was an outsourced worker of theirs who had been on his lunch break.
Hong Kong has seen an escalation in violence this week, with intense street battles, violent clashes at universities and flashmob lunchtime protests. The FEHD also condemned masked rioters, calling them "extremely dangerous".
On Monday, a police officer shot an activist in the torso with a live bullet and a man was set on fire while arguing with anti-government protesters. "[They] conducted violent acts in various districts three days in a row, where they wantonly assaulted other members of the public," the statement added. "The acts are outrageous."
Hong Kong has seen an escalation in violence this week, with intense street battles, violent clashes at universities, and flashmob lunchtime protests.
On Monday, a police officer shot an activist in the torso with a live bullet, and a man was set on fire while arguing with anti-government protesters.
What did President Xi say?
President Xi, who was speaking at a summit of BRICS countries in the Brazilian capital Brasilia, issued a strong warning to protesters.
He said that "radical violent activities" in the city had "seriously challenged the [principle of] 'one country, two systems'".
According to state media outlet the Global Times, Mr Xi said the "most pressing task for Hong Kong is to end violence and chaos and restore order".
He also threw his "firm support" towards the Hong Kong police force.
Why are there protests in Hong Kong?Why are there protests in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong is part of China but as a former British colony it has some autonomy and people have more rights. Hong Kong - a British colony until 1997 - is part of China under a model known as "one country, two systems".
The protests started in June against plans to allow extradition to the mainland - which many feared would undermine the city's freedoms. Under this model, Hong Kong has a high degree of autonomy and people have freedoms unseen in mainland China.
The bill was withdrawn in September but demonstrations continued and now call for full democracy and an inquiry into police behaviour. The protests started in June after the government planned to pass a bill that would allow suspects to be extradited to mainland China.
Clashes between police and activists have become increasingly violent and in October the city banned all face masks. Many feared this bill would undermine the city's freedoms and judicial independence.
The bill was eventually withdrawn but the protests continued, having evolved into a broader revolt against the police, and the way Hong Kong is administered by Beijing.
Protests have taken place every weekend over the past few months, causing widespread disruption.