Violence in HK: Injuries, arrests, worries and wishes
CGTN
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Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Yuen Long of Hong Kong's New Territories Saturday despite a police ban. The protest resulted in four policemen injured and 11 people arrested for allegations of gathering illegally, suspicion of hiding weapons and attacking the police.  

The government of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) strongly condemned the violence as "breaching the public peace and breaking the law deliberately" on Sunday. 

"The police will take serious follow-up actions with those violent protesters," it stressed. 

Despite police ban, protest ends with injuries 

Around 3 p.m. local time on Saturday, protesters gathered in the Yuen Long district. They threw rocks and bottles, held iron poles, removed fences from the road, and built barricades out of street furniture and umbrellas. 

Some threw rocks and bottles at police, attacked police vehicles and private cars and many refused to leave the area. To stop the violence, the police used what it called appropriate force, such as tear gas, sponges and rubber bullets. 

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Anti-fugitive bill protesters break into the Legislative Council building during the anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China, Hong Kong, China, July 1, 2019. (Photo: Reuters)

The violence continued into the evening. 

The HKSAR government said that it deeply regretted that some people still took part in the public procession and public meeting in Yuen Long, despite the prohibition and objection by the police. 

A government spokesman noted that after the public procession, some radical protesters violently charged police's cordon lines, vandalized a police vehicle and blocked roads. 

"Although these activities were illegal, the government took all practicable actions, including special traffic arrangements, to ensure public safety," the spokesman added. 

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Violence against social order, legal system, and Chinese people's wishes

Violent actions have been going on in Hong Kong for some time. 

They first stormed and damaged the Legislative Council Complex, surrounded the police headquarters, attacked police officers and illegally stored dangerous goods and a large number of offensive weapons, and then besieged and stormed the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, defacing the national emblem and painting insulting words on the wall. 

Many Hong Kong citizens have expressed their worries and indignation over the chaotic situation in Hong Kong. 

More than 300,000 Hong Kong residents braved rains for rallies on July 20 to voice their strong opposition to violence and firm support for the police. 

Hong Kong officials have also expressed their concern that the continuing protests are hurting the region's economy. 

"The economy of Hong Kong has been affected in a big way. Our exports in June saw a decrease of nine percent from last year and we are really concerned about this," said Chan King, vice president of Hong Kong Chinese Importers' and Exporters' Association. 

"If the situation continues, the economy will be in big trouble." 

Spokesperson Hua Chunying of Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday called for all Hong Kong residents with a sense of justice and love for Hong Kong to unite and make the "Pearl of the Orient" shine again.

"This is what every Hong Kong resident wishes," Hua said.