China: Officials to host Establishment Day events in Hong Kong July 1

Hong Kong will commemorate the 27th anniversary of Establishment Day as an annual public holiday July 1. Authorities will organize official events across Hong Kong to mark the occasion. Events will occur primarily at various community halls, public squares, including Golden Bauhinia Square, and government buildings. Pro-democracy demonstrations are possible; activists could assemble near government buildings, public squares or grounds, and thoroughfares. Any such gatherings will probably remain small, involving only a few dozen participants.

Authorities are deploying over 4,000 officers to maintain an increased security presence across Hong Kong and will probably implement enhanced measures, such as vehicle inspections, increased patrols, and identification checks. Security will be especially tight near event venues, government buildings, shopping malls, and transportation hubs. Police may enforce road closures around event venues such as Golden Bauhinia Square; localized transport disruptions are highly likely. Security personnel will probably move swiftly to disperse any demonstrations that materialize and may resort to the use of force.