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Hong Kong Polytechnic University: Protesters flee campus on motorcycles Hong Kong Polytechnic University: Some protesters still inside as standoff continues
(about 4 hours later)
Several protesters have escaped from a Hong Kong university campus surrounded by police by abseiling from a bridge and fleeing on the back of motorbikes. About 100 protesters remain barricaded inside a Hong Kong university campus surrounded by police, as the standoff enters a third day.
Around 100 others who tried to leave the Polytechnic University were met with tear gas and rubber bullets. Some were arrested. Hundreds of protesters left Polytechnic University (PolyU) earlier, accompanied by mediators police had allowed in.
Authorities say 116 people were injured in the violence on Monday. Those under 18 were allowed to leave without being arrested but adults were detained on the spot.
In the past week, the campus has become the latest battleground for long-running anti-government protests. PolyU has in the past week been turned into a battleground as anti-government protests show no signs of slowing down.
The violence is some of the worst seen during months of unrest in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory. The protests started over a controversial extradition bill, and have now evolved into broader anti-government demonstrations. Tensions could be further inflamed as China condemned a decision by Hong Kong's high court to overturn a ban on face-masks that are often worn by pro-democracy protesters.
China has warned that "no-one should underestimate [its] will to safeguard its sovereignty and Hong Kong's stability", and its ambassador to the UK said the central government would not sit back and watch if the situation became "uncontrollable". The violence at the university is one of the biggest flare-ups Hong Kong has seen since protests broke out in June.
Hong Kong is a part of China, and the protests are, in part, about the fear that the special freedoms the territory enjoys as a former British colony are being eroded. The mostly young protesters have five key demands including an investigation into police brutality and universal suffrage, but underpinning this is the fear Hong Kong's unique identity is threatened by China.
On Monday, Hong Kong's High Court ruled that a ban on protesters wearing face masks was unconstitutional. The colonial-era emergency law was invoked in October, but protesters largely defied it. Earlier on Monday, dozens of protesters were arrested by police officers as they attempted to run from campus.
Hong Kong's government said the weekend's events had "reduced the chance" of district elections being held on Sunday as planned, public broadcaster RTHK reports. Postponing or cancelling the vote could further inflame the protests. Police foiled three attempts by protesters to break free but a small group of people managed to successfully leave the campus using rope ladders before being picked up by motorcycles.
The UK has urged an "end to the violence and for all sides to engage in meaningful political dialogue" ahead of the elections. Speaking to the BBC on Monday, the former British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt accused some protesters of trying to "provoke a military confrontation with China". The protesters have been looking for ways to leave the university without being arrested. Those arrested could be charged with rioting, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
The US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo called on the Hong Kong government to address public concerns. What is happening today?
"The Hong Kong government bears primary responsibility for bringing calm to Hong Kong. Unrest and violence cannot be resolved by law enforcement efforts alone," Mr Pompeo said. An estimated hundred protesters still remain in PolyU, authorities have said.
What is happening? Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has called on them to surrender, asking them to "come out peacefully and take instructions from police".
Police are still besieging the university where several hundred protesters are thought to be trapped. Officers have ordered those inside to drop their weapons and surrender. A protester inside the university told the BBC supplies, including first aid equipment, were running low. According to local news site SCMP, more than 200 students below the age of 18 had left the campus in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Meanwhile, a fire broke out on campus and loud explosions were heard, according to the South China Morning Post. Various education officials, including high-school principals, were allowed onto campus.
On Monday night, prominent figures were allowed by police onto the campus to mediate and persuaded dozens of protesters to leave. "The situation is getting more and more dangerous," Jasper Tsang, a pro-Beijing politician who is the former head of Hong Kong's Legislative Council, told the Reuters news agency soon after he arrived at the campus. Those under the age of 18 had their identities recorded and were let go. Around 100 adults also left and were immediately arrested.
PolyU has been occupied by protesters for several days. On Sunday night, police warned protesters they had until 22:00 (14:00 GMT) to leave the campus, saying they could use live ammunition if the attacks continued.PolyU has been occupied by protesters for several days. On Sunday night, police warned protesters they had until 22:00 (14:00 GMT) to leave the campus, saying they could use live ammunition if the attacks continued.
On Sunday, the university said it had been "severely and extensively vandalised". Separately on Tuesday, Hong Kong's new police chief took office.
A number of protesters left inside the university have identified themselves as current students in media interviews but it is unclear exactly how many of them are, in fact, university students. Chris Tang said the force was not able to end the protests alone, saying that the unrest would only end if society condemned the violence.
Tears and pride China also on Tuesday condemned the high court's ruling that a government ban on face masks was constitutional.
By Grace Tsoi, BBC News, Hong Kong What's this about face masks?
Worried parents whose children were trapped inside the Polytechnic University were among the 200 protesters who joined a peaceful rally on Monday night in eastern Tsim Sha Tsui, a tourist area which is only 300 metres away from the besieged campus. Hong Kong had previously banned protesters from wearing face masks - this was later deemed "unconstitutional" by the city's high court.
Ms Ng - who only wanted to be identified by her last name - found out on Sunday night her son was among those trapped inside. "He's frightened because he has not faced any emergency situation on his own. She has been on the streets near the university since then. But now China has come out and condemned the high court's decision. It says it has the sole authority to rule on constitutional matters in the region - it is unclear what action, if any, China might take next.
The teary-eyed mother is proud of her 18-year-old son despite the circumstances. "My son didn't cry. He's strong and likes to help others," she said. "I told my son that you did nothing wrong and you are an outstanding kid. I wouldn't blame you." This is a large part of what the on-going protests in Hong Kong are about.
She told him to stay inside the campus and wait for her to pick him up. Ms Ng said the government should bear the responsibility for the chaos in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a part of China and many in the city fear that its freedoms - including judicial independence - are slowly being eroded by China.
"Our government is more and more reckless. It ignores the very lowly demands from the citizens!" she said. "I wasn't born in Hong Kong but I love Hong Kong so much! Hong Kong is a wonderful place but it has turned into such a state. It breaks my heart!"
How did we get here?How did we get here?
Campuses remained relatively free of violence during the Hong Kong protests but, last week, the Chinese University of Hong Kong became a battleground. Campuses had remained relatively free of violence during the months and months of Hong Kong protests despite the movement being led mainly by students and young people.
But after the death of a 22-year-old student, that changed.
Last week, the Chinese University of Hong Kong became a battleground.
Police say protesters threw petrol bombs on a major road near the university in an effort to stop traffic. Officers attempted to reclaim the road, leading to major clashes.Police say protesters threw petrol bombs on a major road near the university in an effort to stop traffic. Officers attempted to reclaim the road, leading to major clashes.
The university then cancelled all classes for the rest of the term. Days later, protesters at PolyU also tried to block access to a key tunnel near the university.The university then cancelled all classes for the rest of the term. Days later, protesters at PolyU also tried to block access to a key tunnel near the university.
Protests have also been held at other locations in Hong Kong.Protests have also been held at other locations in Hong Kong.
Why are there protests in Hong Kong?Why are there protests in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong - a British colony until 1997 - is part of China under a model known as "one country, two systems". Under this model, it has a high degree of autonomy and people have freedoms unseen in mainland China.Hong Kong - a British colony until 1997 - is part of China under a model known as "one country, two systems". Under this model, it 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. Many feared this would undermine the city's freedoms and judicial independence.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 would undermine the city's freedoms and judicial independence.
The bill was eventually withdrawn, but the demonstrations continued, having evolved into a broader protest movement against alleged police brutality, and the way Hong Kong is administered by Beijing.The bill was eventually withdrawn, but the demonstrations continued, having evolved into a broader protest movement against alleged police brutality, and the way Hong Kong is administered by Beijing.