The Tiananmen Square parade in Beijing marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Photo: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images
China showed off a new hypersonic ballistic nuclear missile, the DF-17, as it displayed its military might during a grand parade in Beijing marking the 70th anniversary of Communist Party rule, AP reports. But clashes between police and protesters in Hong Kong cast a shadow over celebrations.
The big picture: Hong Kong authorities had tried to thwart protesters as Chinese President Xi Jinping oversaw the Beijing parade that showcased some 15,000 soldiers and 100,000 performers, per the New York Times. Hong Kong went into unprecedented lockdown, Reuters notes. But tens of thousands of protesters defied a ban on marches and attended rallies throughout the city, per Bloomberg.
Hong Kong police fire a water cannon and blue dye from the central government complex. Photo: Mohd Rasfan/AFP/Getty ImagesBeijing marks 70 years since Mao Zedong announced the formation of the People's Republic of China. Photo: Kevin Frayer/Getty ImagesProtesters burn a Chinese national flag during a march through the streets of Hong Kong. Photo: Mohd Rasfan/AFP/Getty ImagesPerformers at the parade in Tiananmen Square. Photo: Andrea Verdelli/Getty ImagesA march in the Tsuen Wan district of Hong Kong, as demonstrators mark China's anniversary with the "Day of Grief" protests. Photo: Philip Fong/AFP/Getty ImagesThe Liaoning Province float featuring a giant winged robot passes through Tiananmen Square. Photo: Greg Baker/AFP/Getty ImagesProtesters carry black balloons as they take part in a march in the Causeway Bay shopping district in Hong Kong. Photo: Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty ImagesMilitary vehicles carrying DF-5B intercontinental ballistic missiles in Beijing's parade. Photo: Greg Baker/AFP/Getty ImagesNumerous Hong Kong stations are closed across the city, including this MTR underground rail system in the Admiralty area. Photo: Mohd Rasfan/AFP/Getty ImagesMilitary helicopters fly over Tiananmen Square. Photo: Greg Baker/AFP/Getty ImagesA group of people outside the British Consulate in Hong Kong. Photo: Mohd Rasfan/AFP/Getty ImagesAn early morning military parade rehearsal in Tiananmen Square. Photo: Andrea Verdelli/Getty ImagesHong Kong protesters carry a mock coffin in the Wanchai district. Photo: Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty ImagesThe Chinese military forces gather in Tiananmen Square. Photo: Kevin Frayer/Getty ImagesHong Kong police check the IDs of young people in the street ahead of anniversary events. Photo: Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty ImagesThe Guard of Honour of the People's Liberation Army rehearse. Photo: Andrea Verdelli/Getty Images
Pro-democracy protestors in the Tsim Sha Tsui district in Hong Kong, Oct. 20. Photo: Dale De La Rey/AFP via Getty Images
Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters marched in Hong Kong on Sunday in defiance of a police ban against assembly, rallying in support of a pro-democracy group leader who was attacked by five men wielding hammers three days earlier, according to the BBC.
The state of play: Though the march was largely peaceful, some protestors threw firebombs at police and vandalized Chinese banks and shops. Police responded by shooting tear gas canisters and deploying water cannons loaded with a blue irritant used to mark protestors for later arrest.
Barcelona firefighters put out blazes during protests on Wednesday. Photo: Robert Marquardt/Getty Images
Barcelona's streets were ablaze Wednesday night, as police and protesters clashed after thousands turned out for a third day to rally for independence from Spain, Reuters reports.
The big picture: Peaceful protests against Spain’s Supreme Court sentencing of 9 Catalan separatist leaders this week to 9–13 years in prison for charges including sedition erupted into violence, with reports of riot police firing tear gas and activists throwing petrol bombs and torching cars, per the Guardian.
Japan Defense Forces evacuate residents from the Typhoon Hagibis-devastated Marumori in Miyagi prefecture Monday. Photo: Jiji Press/AFP via Getty Images
A massive search and rescue operation involving 110,000 people was underway in Japan Monday after deadly Typhoon Hagibis lashed the country over the weekend, the BBC reports.
The big picture: The storm that triggered floods and landslides Saturday has killed at least 40 people and injured scores more, according to Japanese news outlets. "About 38,000 people across 17 prefectures had evacuated their homes" so far, the Japan Times reports. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said there were concerns for the "impact on lives and economic activities," per the Japan Times.