Activists in Hong Kong temporarily called off demonstrations on the 18th anniversary of 9/11 as a Chinese-run media outlet claimed the protesters were preparing to launch a “massive terror attack.”
”Anti-government fanatics are planning massive terror attacks, including blowing up gas pipes, in Hong Kong on September 11,” China Daily, which is owned by the Communist Party of China, said on its Facebook page. ”The 9/11 terror plot also encourages indiscriminate attacks on non-native speakers of Catonese, and starting mountain fires.”
The posting, which included a photo of the Twin Towers in flames on Sept. 11, 2001, went on to say the “leaked information was part of the strategy being schemed by radical protesters in their online chat rooms.”
The protesters opted to hold off the months-long unrest that has wracked the Chinese-ruled city.
“In solidarity against terrorism, all forms of protest in Hong Kong will be suspended on Sept. 11, apart from potential singing and chanting,” they said in a statement.
The demonstrations began in June in opposition to an extradition bill that would have allowed suspects in Hong Kong to be sent to mainland China to stand trial in Communist Party courts.
Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam has said she will withdraw the bill, but protesters are pushing for more democratic reforms.
With Post wires
