More protests are planned for this weekend in Hong Kong. An approved march will start at 3pm on Sunday, and travel from Victoria Park, through Admiralty and Wan Chai, before finishing at the Court of Final Appeal in Central. Protests are likely to occur on Saturday as well, and the following locations are potential flashpoints –

  • Causeway Bay
  • Victoria Park
  • Wan Chai
  • Admiralty
  • Central Government Complex of Hong Kong SAR
  • Tamar Park
  • Central
  • Court of Final Appeal

If you are looking for a background briefing on the current situation, Talking Politics recently had a very interesting podcast episode that explored the protests, their history and the demands of those involved.

Travel advice

If you are already in or will be in Hong Kong, please consider the following –

  • Avoid demonstrations and large crowds. 
  • Be aware that transport and other services are likely to be disrupted, and allow for extra time in any travel plans. Where possible, minimise travel.
  • Review your travel risk management plan, so you know what to do in an emergency.
  • Make sure you have the contact information of your travel insurance company and your local embassy stored in a secure offline location.
  • Monitor local media.
  • Keep your devices charged.
  • Check in with friends and family.
  • If something does happen, contact the local embassy as soon as it is safe to do so.

Here is health advice from the International News Safety Institute on how to protect yourself from tear gas.

Official travel advice

From the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office –

In recent weeks several large-scale political demonstrations have taken place on Hong Kong Island, in Kowloon and various suburbs in the New Territories. In recent weeks violent clashes have also taken place between police and protesters following otherwise peaceful protest activities.

Police have authorised a rally on Hong Kong Island on Sunday 21 July, starting at 3pm local time in Victoria Park in Causeway Bay. The approved route passes through Admiralty and Wan Chai, before finishing at the Court of Final Appeal in Central. Recent marches have seen protest marches deviate from the planned route, which have sometimes prompted clashes with police forces.

Activities related to protests – including violent clashes between protesters and police – have spilled over into large public spaces (eg shopping centres, housing estates and metro (“MTR”) stations) on the margins of recent protest routes. Protests may lead to sections of the city being closed off and public transport being significantly affected.

You should remain vigilant and keep up to date with developments. If you’re in and around areas where demonstrations are taking place, you should follow the advice of local authorities and move away quickly to a safe place if there are signs of disorder. The British Consulate General is aware of the possibility of demonstrations throughout Hong Kong until District Council elections in November. These protests may take place with little or no notice.

Please click through here for the rest of the advisory, including contact information.

Further news and information

 

Like what you read? You can sign up here for our free Daily Updates. We also send out a Weekly K+R Update, bundling together all the kidnap, ransom and extortion news of the week in one easy to read newsletter. (Sign up on the same form using the options at the end.)

If you found this post valuable, please show your appreciation by buying us a coffee. Thank you.

Buy me a coffeeBuy me a coffee

Follow and subscribe!

Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. You can also subscribe to our free newsletters - the Daily Updates and the Weekly K+R Update.