“Localists”, who dream of breaking away from the motherland, choose the Mong Kok area for an outdoor screening of the match to show that “there is no reason for Hongkongers to support the Chinese team”. The “indigenous” groups behind this initiative are the same involved in past clashes between street vendors and police.
Hong Kong (AsiaNews/Agencies) – A badminton match between the Chinese and Hong Kong teams is likely to trigger new violence in the former British colony.
A diverse group of "localist" movements and individuals who dream of independence from mainland China has decided to broadcast the sporting event outdoors at Mong Kok.
Months ago the area was the scene of a violent clash between some street vendors and police. Some street vendors belonging to anti-Beijing groups were among those arrested at the time.
Today’s event has been organised by ProgressUST, a student group, Hong Kong independence advocate Simon Sin and Hong Kong Indigenous, a radical group accused of inciting the Mong Kok riot in February.
The badminton mixed doubles game involves China’s Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei and Hong Kong’s Chau Hoi-wah and Reginald Lee Chun-hei.
The localists have been promoting a campaign, too aggressively for some, to urge Hongkongers to “support” their team.
However, because of Hong Kong’s poor showing at the Games, many Hongkongers prefer to cheer for China or at least both delegations.
In his invitation to the outdoor screening, Sin wrote on his Facebook page that the live broadcast in Mong Kok would be organised to “let the international community, Chinese people and the public know that there is no reason for Hongkongers to support the Chinese team”.
For its part, police sources said they would keep a close eye on developments.