Rioters destroy and set fire to banks, MTR Stations, Xiaomi store, Best Mart 360 and many others

20th October 2019 – (Hong Kong) Thousands of protesters took part in the illegal street rally in TST today, they barricaded roads, set fire to many exits at MTR Stations and a street distribution cabinet, they also destroyed many Chinese state-linked shops and banks. Chung Hwa Book Co in Yau Ma Tei owned by Hong Kong Liaison Office was also damaged and destroyed. Rioters sprayed ‘CHINAZI’ and ‘CCP Propaganda’ on its roller shutters.

A Bank of China ATM machine was also set fire and spray-painted. Pro-Beijing district councillor, Edmond Chung’s office at Charming Garden was also not spared by protesters. Glass panels were shattered and documents were scattered all over and a garbage bin was hurled into the office. Rioters spray-painted ‘Fujian’ in Cantonese on the roller shutters of ‘Daily Manson’ store which was suspected to be the new entity of Best Mart 360. However, after discussing amongst themselves, they decided not to vandalise as they were not sure if the store was in fact owned by Best Mart 360.

Rioters also force-opened the entrance to CMB Wing Lung Bank branch on Nathan Road in Prince Edward. They smashed the glass panels and vandalised the wood panels on the exterior.

Another ICBC bank branch on Nathan Road was also damaged by rioters. Despite being covered by wood panels, rioters still managed to remove them and activated the fire sprinkler system inside. The Chinese herbal store from Beijing, Tong Ren Tang on Nathan Road was utterly destructed, even the signage was ruined.

At around 9pm, the Xiaomi flagship store at the ground floor of Chong Hing Square was set on fire. The signage was completely destroyed sending black smoke to the higher floors. Firemen managed to put out the fire moments later.

At 9.47pm, a Best Mart 360 store in Sai Yee Street was vandalised and set on fire. Firemen rushed to the scene to extinguish the flame. White smoke was billowing from the store.

At 10pm, protesters set fire to Tong Ren Tang store on Nathan Road in Mong Kok. Protesters also burned Exit D2 at Mong Kok MTR Station before firemen extinguished the flame at 10.03pm.

Protesters ‘accidentally’ vandalised a Bank of East Asia branch and left some money on its roller shutters as a gesture of apology. Bank of East Asia is not a Chinese state owned bank.