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Added on the 21/08/2019 04:20:04 - Copyright : AFPTV - First images
China holds a huge military parade to celebrate 70 years of Communist Party rule, as protests seeth Hong Kong threatening to steal the spotlight. TIMELAPSE
The US says it is "alarmed" after Hong Kong legislators fast-tracked a new national security law that introduces penalties such as life imprisonment for crimes related to treason and insurrection, and up to 20 years in jail for the theft of state secrets. "We believe that these kinds of actions have the potential to accelerate the closing of Hong Kong’s once open society," US Department of State deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel tells reporters during a press briefing. SOUNDBITE
Footballing icon Lionel Messi touches down at Hong Kong International Airport with teammates from Inter Miami for preseason matches in Asia. The team will take on a Hong Hong XI on Sunday, before heading to Japan to play Vissel Kobe on 7 February. IMAGES
Images of police and journalists outside the West Kowloon Law Courts Building, where Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai is due to stand trial in the Chinese city on national security charges that could see him jailed for life. IMAGES
Hong Kong's largest-ever national security trial begins final arguments Wednesday, more than 1,000 days after the case against 47 democracy activists under the Beijing-imposed law began. IMAGES
Hong Kong's Gay Games kick off with a parade, with participants dressed in sparkles and colour. It the first time that the international sporting event is held in Asia. IMAGES