Clashes As Police Attempt To Clear Barricades

Clashes have broken out between police and protesters in Wan Chai after an hours-long stand off between the two sides at the beginning of what's expected to be a busy day of protests on Monday.

At about 7.20am officers wearing helmets and shields attempted to clear makeshift barriers blocking Fenwick Pier Street. Objects appeared to be thrown towards them as demonstrators with umbrellas tried to stop the police. Officers used batons and pepper spray to push the protesters back.

It followed two hours of relative calm in the early hours.

At about 7am, the MTR Corporation announced that trains would not stop at the Admiralty or Wan Chai stations. It said the move was based on a police request. Normal service resumed shortly before 11am.

Shortly after 4am, people were seen using metal barricades, rubbish containers and other materials to block the road. Their goal was not clear, but the road does lead to Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai, where the annual flag-raising ceremony to mark the anniversary of the handover was to take place on Monday morning.

The government has announced that under arrangements for wet weather, guests would watch the flag being hoisted from inside the Convention Centre.

Police in riot gear were seen at Lung Wo Road near the Convention Centre, which is adjacent to the square. They removed some barriers and put up warning signs, but remained about 100 metres away from the protesters for several hours.

Protesters also raised a darkened version of the SAR flag in place of the national flag outside Legco. The official SAR flag hung at half-mast beside it.

Groups opposed to the government's attempts to change the extradition law in a way that would allow for the rendition of fugitives to any jurisdiction have vowed to disrupt the flag-raising ceremony.

The government had advised guests and attendees of the ceremony to use public transport to get to the site, and to enter the venue via the Harbour Road entrance of the Convention Centre.

Large water-filled barricades were placed around the square and the Convention Centre was closed, with scheduled events cancelled or moved elsewhere. Uniformed groups and students have been told not to attend the ceremony.

Police have warned people not to attempt to interfere with the barriers.

This afternoon, a massive turnout is expected at the annual July 1 march organised by the Civil Human Rights Front.

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