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
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) told reporters on Wednesday that he believes President Trump "misspoke" when he told the far-right "Proud Boys" group to "stand back and stand by" in response to a question about condemning white supremacy at the first presidential debate.
Catch up quick: Moderator Chris Wallace asked Trump on Tuesday, "Are you willing, tonight, to condemn white supremacists and militia groups and to say that they need to stand down?" Trump asked who specifically he should condemn, and then responded, "Proud Boys, stand back and stand by. But I'll tell you what, somebody's got to do something about antifa and the left."
Photos: Jim Watson and Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
The Commission on Presidential Debates announced Wednesday that it plans to implement changes to rules for the remaining debates, after Tuesday night's head-to-head between Joe Biden and Donald Trump was practically incoherent for most of the night.
What they are saying: "Last night's debate made clear that additional structure should be added to the format of the remaining debates to ensure a more orderly discussion of the issues," the CPD said in a statement.
President Trump told reporters on Wednesday that he doesn't know who the "Proud Boys" are, after saying at the presidential debate last night that the far-right group should "stand back and stand by" in response to a question asking him to condemn white supremacists.
Why it matters: The comments set off outrage and calls for clarification from a number of Republican senators. After being asked several times on Wednesday whether he will condemn white supremacy, Trump responded: "I have always denounced any form — any form of any of that, you have to denounce. But I also — Joe Biden has to say something about antifa."