Today, China celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Communist takeover of the country. It was on October 1, 1949 that Mao Zedong announced the creation of the People’s Republic of China. In keeping with the Communist ideology, a protester in Hong Kong was shot in the chest with a live round.

The protests in Hong Kong have been going on for months, as the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has tried to break the 50 year agreement made with Great Britain, which took effect in 1997. Nina wrote about the protests last month. You can read her post here. Although the protests have been mostly peaceful, the violence has picked up as the PRC stationed “paramilitary” troops near and in Hong Kong.

Today, a young protester was shot in the chest with a live round. The South China Morning Post reported:

In a joint statement, 24 pan-democratic legislators have strongly condemned police for “unnecessarily escalating the use of force and using deadly live ammunition” on an 18-year-old.
“The policeman’s close-range shooting seems to be an attack rather than self-defence … Many police officers have gone out of control and rudely treated demonstrators, the public, medical staff, journalists, social workers and lawmakers,” the statement reads.
The group also says it is irresponsible of city leader Carrie Lam to be visiting Beijing when police have warned that there will be chaos in Hong Kong.

The protester was shot at point-blank range, according to other reports. He is in critical condition following surgery at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Reports also indicate that 51 protesters have been injured and more than 100 have been arrested.

This was all part of a clear message from President for Life Xi Jinping. Xi wore a standard Mao-issue suit as he reviewed the perfect marching troops and bragged about his new, hypersonic, nuclear, intercontinental ballistic missile. The missile is, according to Xi, capable of reaching any U.S. city in 30 minutes. Hardline Communism was the message sent by every visual presented. Xi told the crowd in Beijing:

“There is no force that can shake the status of this great nation. No force can stop the Chinese people and the Chinese nation forging ahead,” he said. Hewing to tradition, he wore a grey Mao suit and watched the parade from the same spot where Mao stood to announce the establishment of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949.

That is the Communist way. Crackdowns, violence, fear and murders are the way to control the population and maintain the vise-grip of power.

But, the spirit that has caught on in Hong Kong may not be so easy to squelch. PJ Media writer Claudia Rosett wrote this morning about a freedom song that is inspiring the protesters, and those, like me, who hear the song:

f you spend any time right now in this great city that is yearning and protesting for freedom and democracy, there is a song you will hear almost everywhere. Introduced just a few weeks ago, it is the work of an anonymous Hong Kong composer, with crowd-sourced lyrics: a solemn but uplifting anthem, titled “Glory to Hong Kong.”

Hong Kongers have been singing this anthem in stadiums, in shopping malls, at protest marches and at rallies. Shortly before I sat down to write this, protesters forming a human chain were singing it along the Kowloon waterfront. One of the most polished versions, sung in Hong Kong’s native Cantonese, with English subtitles, is performed by an orchestra and chorus wearing an assortment of masks, goggles, and helmets — part of the standard kit that many protesters have adopted to protect themselves against tear gas, rubber bullets, and arrest.

The song, with orchestra, “Glory to Hong Kong”:

I get chills listening to these brave people.

Asia expert, Gordon Chang, tweeted this morning:

May there be no 71st anniversary. #China #PRC70Years #PRC70Anniv https://t.co/N8a8Fo8kgw

— Gordon G. Chang (@GordonGChang) October 1, 2019

Amen, Mr. Chang. I stand with Hong Kong and all those who love freedom. Prayers for the brave, young man shot in chest. May he have a long life in freedom.

Welcome Instapundit Readers

Photo Credit: Wikimedia.org/WFan/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/cropped