Global trade riots rock Hong Kong

Police fight running battles with protesters and break up demos with tear gas as WTO negotiations reach climax

Tom Burgis and Jonathan Watts in Hong Kong
Sunday December 18, 2005
The Observer

Hong Kong was hit by its most violent street clashes in more than 30 years last night as riot police fought running battles with protesters on the penultimate day of World Trade Organisation talks.

While negotiators inside the conference hall struggled to agree to a watered-down compromise on the future of global commerce, demonstrators outside ratcheted up their attempt to derail a deal that they believe sells poor countries short.