Still unexplained
The hunt for the origins of Covid-19 has for the past four years been a tangled web of politics, power struggles, and international finger-pointing.
Following a streak of violent street clashes, the Hong Kong riot police took up position at the main rail station serving the airport on Sunday to prevent a new anti-government demonstration targeting air travel.
Protesters in Hong Kong had targeted the airport before, occupying the arrivals hall, blocking approach roads and setting street fires in the nearby town of Tung Chung, and trashing its subway station. The protests had led to cancellation of multiple flights and had left many tourists stranded.
Built on reclaimed land around an island, the Airport Express train takes passengers under the harbour and across a series of bridges to the airport. It was only taking passengers to board in downtown Hong Kong, not on the Kowloon peninsula, the Airport Authority said.
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Violent clashes have hit various parts of Hong Kong at different times over more than three months.
The recent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong present a huge embarrassment for Beijing just days ahead of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic on October 1.
The Hong Kong government has already called off a big fireworks display to mark the day in case of further clashes. China, which has a People’s Liberation Army garrison in Hong Kong, has said it has faith in Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam to solve the crisis. Hong Kong has recently come up with its own national anthem called ‘Glory to Hong Kong’ which is in defiance to the Chinese oppression.
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