Schools in Hong Kong shut for first time as protests rage

Bloomberg

Hong Kong officials and Chinese state media warned of consequences if violence continued, as a third-straight day of protests disrupted traffic across the city and the government announced for the first time that it would close public schools.
The government remained confident in its ability to contain the chaos, Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung — the city’s No. 2 official — said as he briefed reporters following morning traffic disruptions by protesters. Demonstrators had returned to Chinese University of Hong Kong and further rallies were expected in the financial hub on Wednesday.
Commuters packed onto the first trains on Wednesday morning as activists continued to impede rush-hour traffic in a show of anger over the government’s response and police tactics. Several MTR Corp services including the entire East Rail Line and parts of the Kwun Tong and West Rail lines were already shut due to vandalism and protest actions.
Numerous bus lines were halted and several schools had suspended classes.
The protests which have been raging for five months in pursuit of greater democracy in the former British colony intensified after a student died of injuries sustained near a protest. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam — with a fresh nod of support from Communist Party leaders in Beijing — has vowed not to give in to violent demonstrations.
Chinese state media says city at “most critical juncture.”
The University of Hong Kong, one of the city’s premier academic institutions, said it would suspend classes for the remainder of the school week from November 14-16. It cited uncertainties with the transportation system and time needed to repair damage to facilities across its campus, and said offices would remain open.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council has arranged buses and flights back to the democratically run island for 85 Taiwanese students who attend the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), council spokesman Chiu Chui-cheng said. He said 197 students, including those who arranged their own travel, were expected to return to Taiwan from Hong Kong on Wednesday and that the government would continue to monitor the situation in the city and provide necessary assistance.
There are 1,021 Taiwanese students currently enrolled in universities in neighbouring Hong Kong. Police officials said that 1,567 rounds of tear gas were fired and 142 people arrested, a day marked by fierce clashes between protesters and officers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.