Hong Kong's worst week of violence gives whiff of anarchy

Once well-functioning society now struggles with day-to-day living

20191115 HK anarchy main

A fire burns behind a protester in Hong Kong's Mong Kok area on Nov. 11. This week's violence suggests tensions in the city are quickly spiraling out of control. © Reuters

DEAN NAPOLITANO, Nikkei Asian Review deputy editor

HONG KONG -- Hong Kong this week witnessed the fiercest violence since the anti-government demonstrations began, as university campuses became flash points for clashes between protesters and the police.

A student from the University of Hong Kong who joined others at the Chinese University of Hong Kong -- where protesters have barricaded the sprawling campus -- was confident their strategy was working. The student, who only gave the name Thomas, said the plan "to win" is to "paralyze the economy, stop everything, stop people going to school, stop people going to work, paralyze the society."

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