Hong Kong is preparing for more protests after the 1.7m downhill Sunday | World | New



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The protesters braved the heavy rains yesterday as they went down the street with their umbrellas. It comes after scenes of violence at the Chinese-controlled city airport last week, as militants clashed with the police.

Tensions were triggered in June by a controversial bill that would allow the extradition of Hong Kong to mainland China.

The bill has since been suspended, but the protests have turned into a larger movement against Chinese control.

The organizers say 1.7 million people attended the demonstration on Sunday.

The images show huge crowds wearing colorful umbrellas during the rally.

Police estimated that there were 128,000 in Victoria Park at the height of the protest.

One of them said, "It's a torture to come forward, frankly. But we must be here because we have no other choice.

"We must continue until the government finally shows us the respect we deserve."

Another said, "They told everyone we were rioters. Today's walk is meant to show everyone that we are not.

READ MORE: Hong Kong crisis: Trump approaching as China lands border

Police said they arrested more than 700 participants since protests began two months ago.

It comes as Beijing attacks Taiwan, an independent territory China regards as its own, for offering political asylum to Hong Kong protesters.

Taiwan's Office of the Taiwan Affairs Bureau spokesman Ma Xiaoguang said it would "cover the crimes of a small group of violent militants" and encourage their "daring to harm Hong Kong and make Taiwan a paradise to dodge the law ".

And China has warned Canada against any involvement in Hong Kong's affairs.

Ottawa and the EU issued a joint statement stating that the right to peaceful badembly was enshrined in the basic law of the former British colony.

The statement from the Chinese Embbady in Ottawa states that "the people of Hong Kong enjoy unprecedented democratic rights and a wide range of freedoms rarely seen in the world".

He added: "The events and demonstrations relevant to Hong Kong have already deteriorated and evolved into extreme violence.

"In the face of violence and such serious crimes, no government with a sense of responsibility would stand idly by."

The statement said that if Canada wanted to express a position, it should "clearly condemn violent criminal activity".

Yesterday, US President Donald Trump warned that China could undermine trade negotiations with Washington if it used its army to crack down on protesters.

"I mean, if it's another Tiananmen Square, I think it's a very difficult thing to do if there's violence. I do not think there is an enormous political feeling of not doing something. "

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