Hong Kong protest leader arrested ahead of Xi Jinping's visit

Joshua Wong was arrested by police after a protest ahead of a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Joshua Wong and about 30 people on June 28 held a three-hour sit-in at the Golden Bauhinia statue in Wan Chai, calling for greater autonomy for Hong Kong. The statue was given to the city by Beijing to mark its return to China 20 years ago. Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to arrive in Hong Kong this afternoon to mark the anniversary.

Some activists clasped hands and sat around the statue, while others climbed onto its petals. Police cleared the area, leading protesters away one by one, according to AFP.

Joshua Wong (center) protests at the Golden Bauhinia statue on June 28. Photo: AFP

Most of the others left on their own, but Wong and Nathan Law lay down and were carried out of the area. Police had earlier warned them that they were causing a public nuisance and would be arrested if they did not move.

Wong's party, Demosisto, said in a statement that eight of its activists, including Wong and Law, had been arrested.

Joshua Wong was the leader of the 2014 student protests in Hong Kong, demanding universal suffrage in the 2017 Hong Kong Special Administrative Region election. The movement lasted nearly three months, attracting 100,000 participants at its peak, with police sometimes having to use tear gas to disperse the crowds.

Protesters climb the Golden Bauhinia statue. Photo: CNN

According to VNE