HONG KONG: HSBC Holdings Plc condemned acts of vandalism against its property on Wednesday (Jan 1), saying it believes they are "unjustified.” Protesters lit a fire at one branch and sought to deface iconic lion statues in front of its Hong Kong headquarters.



"We strongly condemn the acts of vandalism and damage directed at our premises repeatedly in the last few days. We believe these are unjustified,” a spokesperson for HSBC said in a statement Wednesday evening, adding that some of its ATMs and banking facilities had been suspended.



"We believe the rule of law is essential to Hong Kong’s status as an international financial center and we look forward to the speedy resolution of the issues.”



The bank has become a target in recent weeks after it closed the account of a group linked to the protests. Police last month arrested four people for suspected money laundering linked to the pro-democracy protests and froze HK$70 million ($9 million) in funds related to the Spark Alliance, a group that helps protesters pay legal fees.



HSBC defended its decision to close the account, saying it was unrelated to the December arrests and followed a "direct instruction” from the customer in November.



Meanwhile, protesters blocked roads and set two street fires in Wan Chai even as the crowds thinned out after police halted the rally. Police said in a statement that "rioters” had damaged the traffic lights in the vicinity of Des Voeux Road Central and Pedder Street in the central neighborhood, and built road barricades using items like traffic cones. Officers at one point deployed a water cannon.



The Hong Kong government issued a statement appealing to participants in the march to disperse soon after it ends and to avoid any illegal or violent acts.



"To safeguard the rule of law and public peace, the police will enforce the law strictly,” said the statement, attributed to a government spokesman. It mentioned that most protesters had expressed their views "in a lawful, peaceful and rational manner.”



The government "has all along respected people’s rights and freedoms to participate in peaceful processions and assemblies and express views rationally, as these are the important core values cherished by Hong Kong people,” the statement said.



CHRF said Hong Kong police had asked it to cease protesting and dismiss demonstrators, vice convener Figo Chan told reporters.



An earlier police statement didn’t mention the request, but said officers had used the minimum force required to deal with the incident in Wan Chai. A police spokesperson reached by phone had no immediate information.



After the request CHRF called for people to stay calm, with one organiser urging police not to threaten crowds who were walking peacefully in Wan Chai.



The police said in a statement that "rioters” had thrown trash and petrol bombs at Luard Road and Hennessey Road, posing a "grave threat to public safety.”



"Police are deploying the minimum necessary force, including tear gas, to effect dispersal of protesters,” it said. "Police warn all lawbreakers to stop their unlawful acts immediately.”



Elsewhere, Stand News showed a lion statue outside of HSBC’s headquarters in central district covered in red paint with a slip of yellow paper covering its eyes. - Bloomberg

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