Roads seized as Hong Kong braces for rally on handover anniversary

Anti-government protesters in Hong Kong took over key roads early Monday morning ahead of a mass planned pro-democracy rally on the anniversary of the city's handover to China.

The semi-autonomous city has been shaken by historic demonstrations in the past three weeks, when protesters have demanded the withdrawal of a bill that would allow extraditions to the Chinese mainland.

Tensions spiked once more in the financial hub as dawn rose on Monday after small groups of mainly young, masked protesters seized three key thoroughfares, deploying metal and plastic barriers to block the way.

Rows of riot police with helmets and shields faced protesters on one of the streets but did not move against the barricades.

The ongoing rallies are the latest manifestation of growing fears that China is stamping down on the city's freedoms and culture with the help of the finance hub's pro-Beijing leaders.

Although Hong Kong was returned from British to Chinese rule on July 1, 1997, it is still ...