Pro-Hong Kong students, pro-China students hold competing rallies at UBC

The unrest in Hong Kong over Chinese control continues to have a spill-over effect in Metro Vancouver.

On Tuesday evening, competing rallies were held by about 100 pro-Hong Kong supporters and a handful of pro-China students at UBCwhile security staff looked on.

Some of the China supporters had been watching celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party.

Some of theHong Kong students covered their faces for feartheir families back home could be targeted.

"They are celebrating the CCP birthday but not the China birthday," said a student named Sabrina."This is one thing that we need to makeclearwhy we don't agree with CCPbecause they take away our freedoms in Hong Kong."

"We stand here because of our mother's birthday," said a student on the pro-China side, referring to their country. "Without my mother I am nothing."

Despite some heated moments, the rallies ended peacefully.

In Richmond, a rally in support of Hong Kong organized by high school students attracted about 50 people to theAberdeen Canada Line station.

Organizers sang Glory to Hong Kong and put up posters and hundreds of Chinese and English messages on a concrete wall, sayingthings like "Hong Kong is not China" and "Freedom for Hong Kong."

According to footage posted to social media,pro-China supporters arrived later and tore down the entire display.