Hong Kong protesters carry political demands into 2020

Pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong held hands and formed human chains across the city on Tuesday, as they carried their months-long movement and its demands into 2020 with midnight countdown rallies and a massive march planned for New Year's Day.

The financial hub has been battered by more than six months of unrest that has seen peaceful marches attended by millions, as well as violent confrontations in which police have fired tear gas and rubber bullets -- and protesters responding with flurries of petrol bombs.

As the final day of the year drew to a close, police used water cannon to disperse small crowds of protesters gathering in the city's Mong Kok district, while in nearby Prince Edward neighbourhood officers arrested several protesters staging a candlelight vigil.

Earlier, thousands of people linked arms in human chains that stretched for miles along busy shopping streets and through local neighbourhoods.

They chanted slogans, sang "Glory to Hong Kong" -- a symbolic protest anthem -- and held up posters calling for people to fight for democracy in 2020.

"Thanks to 2019, which tore off the ugly masks of the police and the government and let the people see the truth," said protester Kris, a medic who joined Tuesday's protest.

"The movement is kind of like at its bottleneck now. Hopefully a huge turnout at tomorrow's march could bring back people's passion," he added.

In late November, the city's pro-democracy camp scored a landslide victory in a municipal-level vote widely seen as a referendum on the Beijing-backed government's handling of political unrest.

The protest movement has since become quieter but sporadic clashes have persisted.

In a New Year's video message broadcast on state media, Chinese president Xi Jinping said Hong Kong's recent upheaval was concerning and that the "people of our motherland" expected stability in the restive city.

But protesters have vowed to continue their effort to push for greater democratic freedoms and police accountability.

On Tuesday night, demonstrators also swarmed major shopping malls, which have become regular protest venues in an effort to cause economic disruption.

Further public rallies were planned at midnight across the city, including on both sides of Victoria Harbour and at nightlife hotspot Lan Kwai Fong.

The city's traditional New Year Eve's bumper fireworks display has been cancelled due to safety concerns, but a light show and smaller-scale fireworks will take place instead.

"2019 is a remarkable and special year for every single Hongkonger," 25-year-old teacher Sam told AFP as he celebrated New Year's Eve with his family at the harbourfront.

"People's demands are loud and clear, but the government is not listening. In 2020, I really hope it will be a better year for all Hong Kong people."
"People will be more determined in the new year. People know that the future of Hong Kong depends on whether we can achieve the five demands."