This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-50452277

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Hong Kong protests: Tense stand-off at university campus Hong Kong protests: Fires blaze at university campus
(about 1 hour later)
Police have besieged a university campus in Hong Kong occupied by protesters who have been fighting back with arrows and petrol bombs. Police have moved on hundreds of anti-government protesters occupying a university campus in Hong Kong after an hours-long standoff.
Officers have warned that they could use live ammunition if protesters do not stop attacking them using such weapons. There are large fires at entrances to the Polytechnic University (PolyU), where protesters have been hurling petrol bombs and shooting arrows at police from behind barricades.
A media liaison officer was on Sunday wounded in the leg with an arrow near the Polytechnic University (PolyU). Officers earlier warned they could use live ammunition if protesters did not stop attacking them using such weapons. Months of anti-government protests have caused turmoil in the city.
Months of anti-government protests have caused turmoil in the city.
The latest violence is however some of the worst the semi-autonomous Chinese territory has seen since the movement began. The police have become targets for radical demonstrators, who accuse them of excessive force.The latest violence is however some of the worst the semi-autonomous Chinese territory has seen since the movement began. The police have become targets for radical demonstrators, who accuse them of excessive force.
Police have so far been responding to violence around the PolyU campus mostly with tear gas and water cannon. Fresh clashes between protesters and the security forces erupted on Sunday, with tear gas and water cannon being met with petrol bombs, bricks and other improvised weapons. A police media liaison officer was wounded in the leg with an arrow.
Those occupying the university were told to leave immediately on Sunday evening. Dozens have reportedly been arrested but hundreds remained inside early on Monday. There are fears of bloodshed should police move in to forcefully quell what they have now declared a riot. Sporadic clashes continued into Monday morning, with police making a push to re-take the campus at about 05:30 local time (21:30 GMT).
"I hereby warn rioters not to use petrol bombs, arrows, cars or any deadly weapons to attack police officers," police spokesman Louis Lau said in a statement broadcast via Facebook. Those occupying the university had been told to leave immediately on Sunday evening but hundreds remained inside early on Monday.
"I hereby warn rioters not to use petrol bombs, arrows, cars or any deadly weapons to attack police officers," police spokesman Louis Lau said in a statement broadcast via Facebook late on Sunday.
"If they continue such dangerous actions, we would have no choice but to use the minimum force necessary, including live rounds, to fire back.""If they continue such dangerous actions, we would have no choice but to use the minimum force necessary, including live rounds, to fire back."
Earlier on Sunday police fired a live round in response to what they said was a car hurtling towards officers near the university. Earlier police fired a live round in response to what they said was a car hurtling towards officers near the university.
Determined to fight to the endDetermined to fight to the end
By the BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Polytechnic University, at 04:00 Hong Kong timeBy the BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Polytechnic University, at 04:00 Hong Kong time
It's only the most radical left now - or the bravest, depending on your point of view. About a hundred of them are hunkered down at a junction outside the main entrance. On the other side of the road: an armoured police vehicle, and a water cannon truck.It's only the most radical left now - or the bravest, depending on your point of view. About a hundred of them are hunkered down at a junction outside the main entrance. On the other side of the road: an armoured police vehicle, and a water cannon truck.
Every 10 minutes or so, these two sides play a game of cat and mouse. The police fire tear gas and the water cannon advances, squirting noxious blue liquid. The protesters, crouching behind umbrellas, respond with petrol bombs and rocks fired from improvised catapults. The police vehicles retreat. The net result is zero. It's a stalemate. There are several hundred more protesters milling around the campus. Medics treat those who have been hit by tear gas or the blue liquid in the water cannon, which stings on contact with the skin. Others man barricades at the many entrances to this sprawling campus which is now completely surrounded. When the police announced a 22:00 deadline for the protesters to surrender or face the possibility of lethal force a significant number changed out of their black outfits, ditched their masks, and disappeared into the night. Some were arrested but others escaped.Every 10 minutes or so, these two sides play a game of cat and mouse. The police fire tear gas and the water cannon advances, squirting noxious blue liquid. The protesters, crouching behind umbrellas, respond with petrol bombs and rocks fired from improvised catapults. The police vehicles retreat. The net result is zero. It's a stalemate. There are several hundred more protesters milling around the campus. Medics treat those who have been hit by tear gas or the blue liquid in the water cannon, which stings on contact with the skin. Others man barricades at the many entrances to this sprawling campus which is now completely surrounded. When the police announced a 22:00 deadline for the protesters to surrender or face the possibility of lethal force a significant number changed out of their black outfits, ditched their masks, and disappeared into the night. Some were arrested but others escaped.
Those who remain seem determined to fight to the end, no matter the risk. "If I die, remember me," one young man said to me. "Do you believe that could happen?" I asked. He gave a nervous shrug. But the promised police assault has, so far, not materialised. Those who remain seem determined to fight to the end, no matter the risk. "If I die, remember me," one young man said to me. "Do you believe that could happen?" I asked. He gave a nervous shrug.
The protests in Hong Kong, which began in June, were triggered by a now-withdrawn plan to allow extradition to mainland China but have since expanded into wider demands for greater democracy and for investigations into the actions of police.The protests in Hong Kong, which began in June, were triggered by a now-withdrawn plan to allow extradition to mainland China but have since expanded into wider demands for greater democracy and for investigations into the actions of police.
The government recently confirmed the city had entered its first recession for a decade.The government recently confirmed the city had entered its first recession for a decade.
In recent days, Hong Kong's university campuses have been the scenes of pitched battles between police and demonstrators.In recent days, Hong Kong's university campuses have been the scenes of pitched battles between police and demonstrators.
Protests in Hong KongProtests in Hong Kong
On Sunday, riot police fired tear gas and used water cannon against protesters at the PolyU, who launched bricks and petrol bombs at them. Protesters took cover behind umbrellas on a footbridge and set light to debris there, causing a huge fire. On Sunday, there were heavy clashes in several areas and a large blaze was set on a footbridge near the university. The blaze triggered a number of small explosions, witnesses said, and fire crews eventually moved in to douse the flames.
The blaze triggered a number of small explosions, witnesses said, and fire crews eventually moved in to douse the flames. A police truck on a bridge above the Cross Harbour tunnel, which links Kowloon and Hong Kong island. was meanwhile set on fire and forced to retreat by large crowds of protesters hiding behind umbrellas and hurling petrol bombs.
There were also heavy clashes on a bridge above the Cross Harbour tunnel, which links Kowloon and Hong Kong island. A police truck on the bridge was set on fire and forced to retreat.
In a statement the university urged those occupying the campus to leave.In a statement the university urged those occupying the campus to leave.
"Universities are venues for advancing knowledge and nurturing talents. Universities are not battlegrounds for political disputes and should not be drawn into violent confrontations," it read."Universities are venues for advancing knowledge and nurturing talents. Universities are not battlegrounds for political disputes and should not be drawn into violent confrontations," it read.
Police said the wounded officer had been on duty near the PolyU when he was hit by the arrow on Sunday afternoon. On Saturday, in a move that sparked controversy, Chinese soldiers in shorts and T-shirts took to the streets to help clean up debris and remove barricades. It was the first time since the protests erupted that Chinese soldiers, who very rarely leave their barracks in Hong Kong, had taken to the streets.
On Saturday, Chinese soldiers in shorts and T-shirts took to the streets to help clean up debris and remove barricades. It was the first time since the protests erupted that Chinese soldiers, who very rarely leave their barracks in Hong Kong, had taken to the streets.
Why are there protests?Why are there protests?
Hong Kong - a British colony until 1997 - is part of China under a model known as "one country, two systems".Hong Kong - a British colony until 1997 - is part of China under a model known as "one country, two systems".
Under this model, Hong Kong has a high degree of autonomy and people have freedoms unseen in mainland China.Under this model, Hong Kong has a high degree of autonomy and people have freedoms unseen in mainland China.
The protests started in June after the government planned to pass a bill that would allow suspects to be extradited to mainland China.The protests started in June after the government planned to pass a bill that would allow suspects to be extradited to mainland China.
Many feared this bill would undermine the city's freedoms and judicial independence.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.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.