Day two of pro-Hong Kong and pro-China demonstrations in Vancouver

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – As pro-democracy protests continue in Hong Kong, the tensions between pro-Hong Kong and pro-China protestors are being felt in Vancouver.

A pro-Hong Kong group met outside Vancouver’s Chinese Consulate for the second day of protests on Sunday, where they were met with a pro-China gathering.

Tat Kwok says he came out to support the people in Vancouver while the counter-protesters support the government.

“If you’re Canadian, of course you support democracy, freedom of speech and the people. Not the repressive regime in China,” he says. “I think every Canadian knows what kind of government China is.”

Kwok is from Hong Kong and still has family living in the city. He says he’s upset about the situation.

“Sometimes you cry. You feel very sad about the situation happening there,” he says. “Especially the police brutality.”

Pro Hong Kong side now singing O Canada. @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/NcoBQqGpPf

— Lauren Boothby (@laurby) August 18, 2019

Peggy, a Hong Kong supporter, says she attended to support the pro-democracy movement and speak out against police violence.

“[To] see the light of freedom outside of Hong Kong, to give the people of Hong Kong a hope,” she says.

Chinese government supporters opposing the pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, stand outside Vancouver’s Chinese Consulate on Granville Street, August 18, 2019. (Lauren Boothby, NEWS 1130)

One pro-China supporter says he’s supporting the police in Hong Kong trying to suppress protests.

“Hong Kong is part of China, so if anyone has [an] idea that Hong Kong can be separated from China, they must be crazy,” Parick says, adding that he takes issue with the way they have been protesting.

“Nobody is paying me or anything, it’s just that I feel that it’s my responsibility because I think this is not just a China issue, it’s actually a world issue,” he says. “I think North America is trying to drum up anti-China sentiment and that’s very dangerous.”