Mahjong parlours and ‘Fujian gangsters’: how the peaceful New Territories town of Tsuen Wan became a flashpoint in Hong Kong’s protests
- The former industrial suburb was rocked by clashes between anti-government protesters and suspected triads on successive weekends
- Outbreaks of violence and subsequent clashes with police have shocked locals, who believed town to be safe
“Compared with Central, the only thing Tsuen Wan doesn’t have is luxury stores,” Eva Chan Yee-wah jokes.
For the 26-year-old Tsuen Wan resident, her neighbourhood is time-worn yet vibrant and well-established.
“My friends and I seldom leave here to hang out, because we’ve got everything – tons of shopping malls, great food, a museum and a library, even bars for those who crave nightlife.”
But things have somehow changed since a month ago.
“Now I don’t go out alone at night any more,” says Chan, a young mother.
It all started when locals witnessed a violent incident at 11pm on August 5, during which protesters got into fights with a group of men dressed in white and wielding knives. At least four people on either side were injured, some with deep lacerations and bloody wounds.
Earlier that day, a strike against the now-shelved extradition bill took place at eight locations around Hong Kong, including Tsuen Wan. It was the first time that the western New Territories town had seen protesters besieging a local police station, and eventually confronting suspected “Fujian gangsters” based in the area.
