Hong Kong: Significant transportation disruptions expected amid general strike August 5 /update 43

Event

Activists have called upon civil servants in seven districts (Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun, Wong Tai Sin, Tai Po, Mong Kok, and Admiralty) to participate in a general strike beginning at 13:00 on Monday, August 5. The strike is intended to paralyze public transportation and draw attention to protesters' demands regarding the controversial extradition bill and recent police violence. Some 500,000 people across 20 business sectors are expected to participate in the work stoppage. 

Hong Kong's Civil Aviation Department announced it will restrict the number of runways at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) to one runway on Monday; flights disruptions (including delays and cancelations) are to be expected. Service on the MTR is also expected to be reduced on Monday. Significant transportation disruptions are to be anticipated during the strike.

Additional protests are planned over the coming weeks. Demonstrations are expected to be held in Wong Tai Sin and Tai Po on August 10, Sham Shui Po and eastern Hong Kong Island on August 11, Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan on August 17, and Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing on August 18.

Context

Protests and mass demonstrations of up to 2 million people have been held since June 9, in opposition to a controversial bill that would allow Hong Kong to extradite fugitives wanted in mainland China and other territories. Opponents claim the law would erode freedoms and be used to silence dissent and criticism. The bill has been suspended, though not fully withdrawn.

The demonstrations have spread from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon and the New Territories in recent weeks and have also become increasingly violent. On July 14, clashes between police and protesters in a Sha Tin shopping mall left 22 people hospitalized. On July 21, a group of pro-government men armed with bars and sticks attacked protesters and commuters in Yuen Long, leaving 45 people injured. On July 27-28, police used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse protesters, marking another escalation in violence. Unidentified assailants reportedly fired fireworks at protesters in Tin Shui Wai on July 30. Protesters destroyed several vehicles and set a fire outside a police station in Tsim Sha Tsui on August 3, leading to violent clashes between police forces and protesters late into the night. Police used tear gas against protesters and arrested at least 20 of them.

Advice

Individuals in Hong Kong are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all demonstrations, and anticipate transportation and business disruptions.