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| Date | 14th July 2016 - Ongoing | ||
| Location | Hong Kong | ||
| Result | Ongoing | ||
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The 2016 Hong Kong Uprising is a series of ongoing protests in Hong Kong. They began on the 14th July 2016, after the Chinese authorities imposed Restriction Laws on Hong Kong the previous day. This was believed to be a step to full annexation of Hong Kong to China.
Events
July 2016
The protests began the day after the National People's Congress approved new restriction laws on the Special Administration. Pro-democracy protestors began a converging in areas around the Hong Kong Convention Center, Tsim Sha Tsui, and the main economic areas of the city. The protestors began sitting in and blocking main roads.
Police were called to maintain order. Several arrests were made however, the protest remained relatively peaceful until the 18th of July when it escalated into violence. Over 250 people were injured, including some police officers. Two days later, 20 protestors were killed after clashing with the police. The final straw for the protestors was when police were captured on film beating unarmed protestors who had surrendered. On the 28th, the protestors seized a several guns, anti-riot gear, and other weapons from a police station. There are also reports of policemen defecting to the protestors.
August 2016
Flag flown by the PGHK is blue variant of the HK SAR flag.
On the 4th August pro-democracy and independence protestors gathered to declared a new Provisional Democratic Government of Hong Kong, prompting China to declare a State of Emergency in the region. The next day Leung Chun-ying was removed from Hong Kong office and Hong Kong was put under military leadership. On the 26th, there were reports of major defections within the Police and Anti-Rioters to the Hong Kong Democracy Movement reported. Chinese Government authorizes military action against the new militias.
September 2016
On September 1, the PLA was deployed to the New Territories. Small contingents of PLA troops are sent into Hong Kong via Z-9 Harbin transport helicopters from Guangzhou military command on the 11th. The PLAAF also bombs rebel held territories just three days after the G-20 Summit in Hangzhou which was attended by foreign dignitaries. On September 12, ROC special forces were clandestinely inserted to supply weapons and ammunition to the pro-democracy militias, as well as medical supplies and food. China responds with military flyover near Taiwan. This nearly caused another Taiwan Strait Crisis.
October 2016
The PLA surface fleet attempts a naval blockade of Hong Kong.
November 2016
Bridges were reopened on the Hong Kong-Mainland border under strict security.
On the 13th, shots rung out in Pacific Place. Witnesses say 6 men in Bback clothes some wearing tiger and Richard Nixon masks shoot at Chinese soldiers station there for the unrest. 2 Sterling submachine gun, 2 MP9s, 1 AKM and 1 Pistol Auto 9mm 1A where used in the shooting. 3 Xhinese soldiers where kill along 13 civilians killed and 5 injured, people say they left the scene in a Black GMC Yukon.
December 2016
The rural areas of Hong Kong are mostly controlled by the rebels.
January 2017
The American Volunteer Brigades arrive in Hong Kong in an unmarked freighter which snuck past the PLA Navy Blockade. AVB fighters begin integrating into the de facto military of the Provisional Government of Hong Kong.
International Reactions
Organizations
- United Nations – similar to protests in 2014, the United Nations Human Rights Committee urged China to ease its restriction laws and treat protestors according to the rule of law. It also urged both sides to come up with a peaceful solution to the crisis.
- European Union – The EU expressed concern of the situation and urged both sides to negotiate a peaceful solution.
- NATO – A spokesperson stated that both sides should solve the issue peacefully. Responding to Russian accusations of the West instigating the protests, NATO makes it clear that in now way will the organization take sides in a domestic protest far from their jurisdiction.
- ASEAN – The organization has expressed that protestors be treated fairly and that both sides should solve the issue peacefully.
- World Ugyhur Organization – In a similar comment to the 2014 Hong Kong Protests, President Rebiya Kadeer said the protests in Hong Kong "are very inspiring" to Xinjiang's independence movement. A few days after the 2016 Hong Kong Protests, Ughurs begin to rise up against the CCP in China.
States
to be added
- Armenia – The government released a statement showing support for the Hong Kong government and the Chinese Mainland government.
- Belarus – The Belarusian government has expressed support for the Chinese Central Government and the HK SAR government.
- Belgium – Brussels hopes that both sides of the conflict will find a peaceful solution.
- Canada – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed both sides to show restraint and settle their differences peacefully. He urges that any Canadian citizens still in Hong Kong to leave immediately for their own safety.
- Cuba – Surprisingly, the Cuban ministry of affairs has released a declaration urging both sides for a peaceful solution.
- France – The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged both sides to negotiate a peaceful outcome of the protests. It ordered French citizens in Hong Kong to leave right away.
- Germany – Angela Merkel has expressed concern with harsh treatment of pro-democracy protestors that were beaten by Hong Kong police.
- India – India urged both sides to negotiate a peaceful solution. Nonetheless, the country has shown support to the Pro-Democracy movement. India, taking advantage of the unrest in China, has increased its troop presence in Kashmir. This was responded by a diplomatic protest from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Italy – Italy called for both sides to show maximum tolerance. All Italian citizens in Hong Kong were ordered to be evacuated for their safety.
- Japan – Japan expressed concern regarding the pulling out of Japanese business in Hong Kong. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has stated that Japan does not support sides and urged for a peaceful solution to the crisis. Nonetheless, China has accused Japan of supporting the protestors.
- Kenya – The foreign ministry expressed concern of the situation, hoping for the safety of Kenyan nationals there.
- Malaysia – The country ordered the evacuation of Malaysians in Hong Kong. Prime Minister Najib Razak expressed for restraint on both sides.
- North Korea – North Korea blamed the United States for stirring up the situation in Hong Kong.
- Pakistan – A spokesperson for the government stated that "Pakistan is with China regarding the issue."
- Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs issued statements that Filipino migrant workers in Hong Kong to avoid areas where there are conflicts ongoing. By November, it issued that all Filipino citizens in Hong Kong must evacuate. Anti-China protests broke out in the Chinese embassy in Makati City calling for the cessation of the conflict and China's claims in the South China Sea.
- South Korea – President Park stated that she wished China and Hong Kong would cease conflicts and head back to the negotiating table.
- Syrian Arab Republic – President Bashar Al-Assad stated that "Syria is standing by with China in putting down this unrest." He further acussed the West for backing up the protests.
- Russia – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs blamed the United States for clandestinely backing up the protestors.
- Venezuela - The country expressed support for the Chinese government, while blaming the US and the West for "starting" the "chaos" in Hong Kong.
- Vietnam – Vietnam ordered the mandatory evacuation of Vietnamese nationals in Hong Kong. At home, numerous Anti-China protests took place at the Chinese embassy in Hanoi, calling for the support of the PGHK.
- United States – U.S. President Barrack Obama and State Secretary John Kerry called for both sides to put down their arms and negotiate for a peaceful solution. China, Russia, Venezuela, and Syria have blamed the United States for supporting the rebels but the U.S. denied in press conference in the White House at the start of the conflict.
- United Kingdom – The Foreign Office expressed concern of China's new legislative laws since it would be a violation of the 1997 agreement of the "One Country, Two Systems." It has announced support for the pro-democracy protestors while emphasizing that a peaceful solution must be carried out by both sides.
- Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe has announced support for the Chinese government, all while monitoring the safety of Zimbabwean nationals in the area.
See also
- 2014 Hong Kong protests: a similar protest that occurred two years prior.
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