Global Times - 21.08.2019

By Chen Qingqing in Hong Kong

and Wang Wenwen in Beijing

Observers wondered if the surprisingly

non-violent protest on Sunday signalled

a turning point for the months-long cha-

os or was simply a tactic used by opposi-

tion forces to pressure the government

and upgrade violence.

The Hong Kong government an-

nounced on Tuesday that it would estab-

lish a communication and dialogue plat-

form for talks with protesters and carry

out measures to revive Hong Kong’s

economy.

The dialogue will be based on mutual

understanding and respect and find a

way out for today’s Hong Kong, Chief

Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor

said at a press conference, adding that

she believes the mechanism will be a

responsible response to protesters’ con-

cerns.

The moves came after hundreds of

thousands of protesters rallied largely

peacefully on Sunday, a contrasting

scene to previous weekends marred by

violent demonstrations on Hong Kong

streets.

However, analysts have expressed

doubts that violent opposition protest-

ers will stop. “Despite the government’s

efforts to try to address their concerns,

they will not stop easily and have already

planned their protests for September,”

said Hung Kam-in, vice

chairman of the Kwun Tong

District Council.

While anti-government

protesters have led the city

By Li Ruohan and Zhang Han

Facebook and Twitter faced a strong backlash

after the two platforms started to take down ac-

counts from China in relation to the ongoing pro-

tests in Hong Kong.

Users complained the move was the latest evi-

dence of the platforms’ vulnerability to Western

bias against China, while analysts noted that so-

cial media platforms should perform

their social responsibility of ensuring

freedom of speech and not fall victim

to Western political correctness stan-

dards.

Dark

tourism

18

Village

rebirth

12-

Depth of Field Life

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Fallout for

the farmers

6

Focus

http://www.globaltimes.cn VOLUME 11 • NO. 2956 • WEDNESDAY AUGUST 21, 2019 PRICE 2 YUAN

Shenzhen key

to tech war, HK

situation B

Business

G7 preparations

Lam to establish

platform for talks

with protesters

 Varying views on motive behind

Sunday’s non-violent rally in HK

Twitter, Facebook

action sparks backlash

 2

Platforms

See also

Page 14

 2

Stronger

See also

Page 3

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World: China warns of new

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B

Inside