Hong Kong’s political crisis

August 14, 2019 - Following two days of flight cancellations, the operator of Hong Kong International Airport has obtained a court injunction to stop protesters from blocking outbound passengers.

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Hong Kong

Police and protesters had previously clashed inside the airport terminal after protesters physically attacked men suspected of being mainland Chinese agents.

The clashes began late Tuesday evening after a lengthy occupation of Hong Kong International Airport by thousands of protesters. Cathay Pacific cancelled 272 flights affecting 55,000 passengers.

On Wednesday, Hong Kong’s Airport Authority posted an interim court order, which prohibits “inciting, aiding, or abetting” any unlawful obstruction of proper use of the airport.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam has said the protesters have turned down a “path of no return.” The Chinese government had harsher words; Xu Luying, a spokeswoman for the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, expressed “extreme anger” and described the protests as “nearly acts of terrorism.”