Hong Kong rally banned as China celebrates party centennial

19 arrested on handover anniversary, while suspect in officer's stabbing dies

Police officers block Hong Kong's Victoria Park after permission was denied for a protest rally during the 24th anniversary of the former British colony's return to Chinese rule on July 1. © Reuters

KENJI KAWASE, Nikkei Asia chief business news correspondent

July 1, 2021 22:55 JST

Updated on July 2, 2021 01:47 JST

HONG KONG -- July 1 has been a public holiday in Hong Kong since 1997 to mark the handover of sovereignty from the U.K. to China, but it also has served as the day for the territory's people to hit the streets in protest on a wide range of issues.