Restive Hong Kong hunkers down as China's birthday celebrations begin

Anti-government protesters shout slogans in front of Wan Chai station, on China’s National Day in Hong Kong, China October 1, 2019. REUTERS/Susana Vera

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong went into lockdown on Tuesday to ensure anti-government protests do not overshadow Chinese President Xi Jinping's commemorations of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

The former British colony has been wracked by nearly four months of often violent anti-government protests, posing the gravest popular challenge to Xi since he came to power in 2012.