Continued unrest in Hong Kong has resulted in hundreds of injuries, many more arrests, and increasing international attention.
Here鈥檚 how it began and why it escalated.
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鈥極ne country, two systems鈥�
A key principle called the 鈥溾�� framework set out Hong Kong鈥檚 economic and administrative independence from China after 鈥渢he handover鈥� in 1997, when it was no longer a British colony. Since the handover, residents have criticized what they see as mainland China鈥檚 attempts to erode Hong Kong鈥檚 autonomy.
Extradition bill
While the plans have since been put on hold, protests began after the proposal of a bill in April that would allow residents to be extradited from Hong Kong to China. Protesters feared the bill would allow the Communist Party of China to target political foes, thereby eroding the framework of 鈥渙ne country, two systems.鈥� In June, Chief Executive Carrie Lam suspended the bill, but demonstrators want it completely withdrawn.
Teargas and rubber bullets
Police crackdowns on protesters have grown increasingly violent since the first demonstrations against the extradition bill. Police have fired tear gas and rubber bullets, arrested hundreds and allegedly in one eye. The clashes have escalated the protests, which have moved from the specifics of the extradition bill to a broader call for democracy. Some demonstrators feel as though 鈥�.鈥� On Tuesday, some protesters attacked two men suspected of being spies from the mainland.
Why the airport?
In July, protests moved to the Hong Kong International Airport, one of the world鈥檚 busiest transport hubs, where airline industry workers organized a sit-in protest. Demonstrations have continued at the airport in August, with the purpose of bringing international attention to pro-democracy efforts.
