UAE issues travel warning for Hong Kong: advises visitors not to wear black or white

A travel warning has been issued by the UAE for travellers heading to Hong Kong amid ongoing protests.

The UAE consulate in Hong Kong has taken to Twitter to advise travellers to avoid both government and private buildings and places near them. It also urged travellers to follow the advice of local authorities.

UAE citizens were also instructed not to wear black or white clothes in Hong Kong. Black has become the signature colour of the Chinese territory's protest movement. Men in white shirts have been blamed for mob attacks against the protesters.

Unfortunately for some UAE travellers, black and white are also the primary colours of Emirati national dress.

Hong Kong has been rocked by protests for almost two months. On Friday, protesters flooded the arrival hall at Hong Kong International Airport, one of the world's busiest air-travel hubs.

A demonstrator holds a placard featuring an illustration criticising Hong Kong police. Bloomberg

According to the Hong Kong Free Press – an independent news service based in the country – a pilot on board a Cathay Pacific flight landing in Hong Kong on Friday alerted passengers to the protests on the ground.

In a video on Twitter, the pilot for the national airline can be heard saying: “There’s a very peaceful and orderly demonstration at Hong Kong International Airport. All they demand is the withdrawal of the controversial extradition bill. Don’t be scared by all these people wearing black shirts and sitting in the arrivals hall.”

Despite the protests, most flights arriving and departing Hong Kong International Airport are running to schedule or facing only minor delays.

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