Beijing Uses Counter-Terrorism Tactics to Quell Hong Kong Protests But Will Fail, Expert Says

A protester holds a placard, mimicking an eye chart that reads "you can kill the dreamer but you can't kill the dream," during a rally at Chater Garden, Hong Kong on Oct. 2, 2019. Mohd Rasfan/AFP via Getty Images

The Hong Kong protests have continued for four months and show no signs of abating. Instead, more and more local residents have joined the protests, amid growing police brutality.

Simon Lau, a senior media professional and former Hong Kong Central Policy Unit consultant, pointed out that the Hong Kong police have changed their methods in dealing with protesters since the worldwide “anti-authoritarianism” rallies on Sept. 29, and are now resorting to counter-terrorism tactics to intimidate the public.

Change in Tactics

While Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam claimed that she would listen to the people’s concerns and even held a community dialogue in late September, the Hong Kong police increased the use of force since Oct. 1, the 70th founding anniversary of the Chinese Communist regime.