DHAKA: At least five protesters from a student-led pro-democracy party in Hong Kong have been arrested for trying to capture the convoy of a top Chinese official.

The activists from Demosisto, including leader Joshua Wong, had attempted to reach the convoy of China’s number three leaders, Zhang Dejiang, BBC reports on Thursday (May 19).

Zhang, who has been visiting Hong Kong, has warned that the territory will suffer if it becomes ‘chaotic’.

Protesters have expressed fears that Hong Kong’s freedoms are being eroded.

The student activists had run onto a motorway where Zhang’s motorcade was due to drive through, carrying signs calling for ‘self-determination’.

Zhang, who returned to mainland China on Thursday, was the first senior Chinese leader to visit Hong Kong since pro-democracy protests paralyzed parts of the territory in 2014.

His visit was met with protests by activists who alleged that the mainland Chinese government was interfering in Hong Kong’s affairs.

BDST: 1736 HRS, May 19, 2016
SAS/RR