More Protests Planned As Beijing Gives New Warning

Hong Kong is bracing for a another round of protests today ... despite an appeal board's ban on marches in Sham Shui Po and in North Point on Hong Kong Island.

Police said their decision to object to the marches was not politically motivated. Despite rejecting the Hong Kong Island march, police have given permission for a rally in Victoria Park this afternoon.

In Sham Shui Po, many shops are closed, some with notices on the shutters saying "Do not hit". The owners of some other shops that have stayed open say they may close in the afternoon if things get too rowdy, as they worry people may be injured.

Rubbish bins in the area have been chained to railings while large water barriers have been placed around Sham Shui Po police station. The station was besieged by an angry crowd on Tuesday night following the arrest of Baptist University student union leader Keith Fong.

He was arrested by plainclothed officers after buying 10 laser pointers from a shop in the district. Fong was released without charge just under two days later.

Meanwhile Beijing's ambassador to the European Union, Zhang Ming, warned that the protests could not continue as they have done: "Hong Kong is part of China. The Chinese people would not allow the situation to get out of control.

"Some people are violating the basic law, they are playing [with] fire."

Saturday night again saw police and protesters engaged in a cat-and-mouse chase across the city as demonstrators used what they call "be water" tactics to stage hit-and-run raids.

At least 16 people were arrested on suspicion of illegal assembly, possessing offensive weapons and assaulting police officers.

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