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| Hong Kong Polytechnic University: Protesters still inside as standoff continues | Hong Kong Polytechnic University: Protesters still inside as standoff continues |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Between 100 to 200 protesters remain barricaded inside a Hong Kong university surrounded by police, as the standoff continues for a third day. | |
| Those inside Polytechnic University are said to be running low on supplies. | |
| Protesters have been inside the campus since last week, initially stopping police from entering by lighting fires and throwing petrol bombs. | |
| But police have since said they would be arrested for rioting, leaving some too scared to leave. | |
| Tensions could be further inflamed by China condemning a decision by Hong Kong's high court to overturn a ban on face-masks. | Tensions could be further inflamed by China condemning a decision by Hong Kong's high court to overturn a ban on face-masks. |
| 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 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. |
| Police later moved in, surrounding the campus, leading to protesters throwing petrol bombs and firing rocks from catapults. | Police later moved in, surrounding the campus, leading to protesters throwing petrol bombs and firing rocks from catapults. |
| On Monday, dozens of protesters were arrested by police officers as they attempted to run from the campus. A small group managed to leave using rope ladders before being picked up by motorcycles. | On Monday, dozens of protesters were arrested by police officers as they attempted to run from the campus. A small group managed to leave using rope ladders before being picked up by motorcycles. |
| Those arrested could be charged with rioting, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. | Those arrested could be charged with rioting, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. |
| The violence at PolyU is one of the biggest flare-ups Hong Kong has seen since protests broke out in June. | The violence at PolyU is one of the biggest flare-ups Hong Kong has seen since protests broke out in June. |
| The mostly young protesters have five key demands including an investigation into police brutality and universal suffrage. | The mostly young protesters have five key demands including an investigation into police brutality and universal suffrage. |
| But underpinning it all is the fear Hong Kong's unique identity is threatened by China. | But underpinning it all is the fear Hong Kong's unique identity is threatened by China. |
| What is happening today? | What is happening today? |
| An estimated 100 to 200 protesters still remain in PolyU, authorities have said. | An estimated 100 to 200 protesters still remain in PolyU, authorities have said. |
| But a handful of protesters have been trickling out of the university, some suffering from hypothermia and leg injuries, according to news site SCMP. | But a handful of protesters have been trickling out of the university, some suffering from hypothermia and leg injuries, according to news site SCMP. |
| One protester said he decided to come out due to "hunger and cold", adding that many inside were "hurt without enough medical supplies". | One protester said he decided to come out due to "hunger and cold", adding that many inside were "hurt without enough medical supplies". |
| Pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui had earlier said protesters did not have enough supplies to "last another day". | Pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui had earlier said protesters did not have enough supplies to "last another day". |
| Another 16-year-old protester told Reuters that she chose to "surrender". | Another 16-year-old protester told Reuters that she chose to "surrender". |
| "We have been trying to escape since yesterday morning. But then we couldn't find a way out [and] were afraid of being charged," she said. "This is the only way... I was quite desperate." | "We have been trying to escape since yesterday morning. But then we couldn't find a way out [and] were afraid of being charged," she said. "This is the only way... I was quite desperate." |
| A total of 600 protesters have now left the campus, according to Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam. | |
| In the early hours of Tuesday morning, more than 200 students below the age of 18 left, accompanied by various education officials, including high school principals. | In the early hours of Tuesday morning, more than 200 students below the age of 18 left, accompanied by various education officials, including high school principals. |
| Those under the age of 18 had their identities recorded and were let go. Adults were arrested. | |
| Ms Lam called on all protesters to surrender, saying no violence would happen if they came "out in a peaceful manner". | |
| However, she said police would have to take "necessary action" if that changed. | |
| Separately on Tuesday, Hong Kong's new police chief took office. | Separately on Tuesday, Hong Kong's new police chief took office. |
| Chris Tang said the force was not able to end the protests alone, saying the unrest would only end if society condemned the violence. | Chris Tang said the force was not able to end the protests alone, saying the unrest would only end if society condemned the violence. |
| What's this about face masks? | What's this about face masks? |
| Hong Kong had previously banned protesters from wearing face masks - but this was deemed "unconstitutional" by the city's high court on Monday. | Hong Kong had previously banned protesters from wearing face masks - but this was deemed "unconstitutional" by the city's high court on Monday. |
| 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. | 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. |
| This is a large part of what the on-going protests in Hong Kong are about. | This is a large part of what the on-going protests in Hong Kong are about. |
| Hong Kong is a part of China and many in the city fear that its freedoms - including judicial independence - are slowly being eroded. | Hong Kong is a part of China and many in the city fear that its freedoms - including judicial independence - are slowly being eroded. |
| How did we get here? | How did we get here? |
| Campuses had remained relatively free of violence during the Hong Kong protests - despite the movement being led mainly by students and young people. | Campuses had remained relatively free of violence during the 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. | But after the death of a 22-year-old student, that changed. |
| Last week, the Chinese University of Hong Kong became a battleground. | 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". | 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. | 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 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 against alleged police brutality, and the way Hong Kong is administered by Beijing. |