HONG KONG - A 24-year-old mainland Chinese music student living in Hong Kong became on Thursday among the first to be convicted on a charge related to the months-long protests in the city, receiving six weeks' prison for carrying an expandable baton.
He also said in an interview that he didn't realise that the baton, which extends to about 30 inches, is illegal in Hong Kong. Similar batons are legal in mainland China. "I thought it had to be a mistake, or maybe they were confused and thought I was a protester," said Chen, who admitted he was wearing black at the time - the colour of Hong Kong's political protesters - but said he was just trying to get home."I tried to explain."
More than 3,000 people have been arrested since protests began over an unpopular government proposal that would allow extraditions to mainland China. Though the Bill has been withdrawn, demonstrations have tapped long-held sentiments in Hong Kong that the city's autonomy is being eroded by Beijing and revived a call for direct elections.
As political tensions deepen, mainland Chinese students, residents and tourists in Hong Kong have often found themselves caught in between - sometimes targeted by Hong Kong protesters who believe them to be against their cause, and at other times threatened by mainland authorities for even mild protest sympathies.