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Hong Kong side, demanding to be allowed to make further attempts. We were unwilling to allow this, since it would almost certainly have led again to major disruption (at one of the world's busiest border crossings). But Han resisted all attempts to persuade him to call off his protest, both from Immigration staff, and from
When intermediaries such as Legislative Councillor Lau Chin-shek. it became clear that there was no chance of prevailing on Han, and a serious risk that he might try to force his way back on to the bridge, we told him that we had no option but to remove him from the border closed area under the Public Order Ordinance. After making clear that this was against his will, he did not resist. has just been taken by the Police to a nearby police station, and handed over to Lau Chin-shek, who had volunteered to take him home.
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It is unfortunate that we had to resort to police action to end Han's protest. We did our best to avoid this. But it eventually became clear that there was no other way to prevent him trying to establish a permanent vigil on the bridge, and to end the risk of disruption to thousands of travellers.
6. We will report further if necessary on any important new developments. Han may make more attempts. We have so far been confining our press line on these rapidly developing events to confirmation of the key facts.
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