One Chinese supporter hoping to catch a glimpse of President Xi, who had come all the way from Seattle, told CNA that he was “trying his luck” by coming to the edge of the security zone around the centre. Others said they had come because they heard others were gathered there.
One lady, furiously texting on her phone, said in irritation that she was just trying to get back to her hotel, which was right next to the Moscone Centre and now behind the barriers. Many others just trying to get to supermarkets or places in the zone are turned back.
Most roads around the area have been closed with police vehicles lining the streets. Getting in requires passing through two security checkpoints and having your bags sniffed by police dogs.
Protesters, however, were undeterred by the heightened measures and continued to gather, shout slogans and hold up placards around the cordon. Not all of the demonstrators were pressing on issues related to China.
Past the tight security, the convention centre is a bubble of calm and isolated from the commotion at the perimeter.