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As police and protesters clash violently in Hong Kong, China watchers in B.C. say the province now faces a mass return of expats who are fleeing the latest attack on their freedoms.

Recently, Hong Kong’s pro-China government proposed a law that would let the Chinese authoritarian state demand the surrender of people from the commercial hub to the mainland for trial.

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Since Sunday, hundreds of thousands of protesters have assembled outside government headquarters in Hong Kong to oppose the extradition bill, delaying debate over it. Police have hit the crowds with tear gas and rubber bullets.

An estimated 300,000 Canadian citizens live and work in Hong Kong, according to Global Affairs Canada, but it is unclear how many have roots in B.C.

Vancouver immigration lawyer Richard Kurland said if the situation in Hong Kong deteriorates, many Canadians there will likely return to B.C. — and quickly.