'Free HK Street' emerges in uni protest

Thousands of people rallied in Hungary's capital, Budapest, in continuing protests against a plan for a China-linked university there.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban has signed a deal for Shanghai's Fudan University to operate in the 9th district after 2024. It would be the first Chinese university campus in the 27-nation European Union.

Orban, a right-wing populist, has fostered ties with Beijing and Moscow as he faces EU criticism for his authoritarian ways.

City authorities are among those opposing the university idea. They argue the project would be too much of a financial burden and send the wrong political message because of abuses in China.

Authorities have already voted to rename streets where the campus would be built with names to enrage Beijing. Among them: Free Hong Kong Street.

Budapest mayor Gergely Karacsony said during the demonstration: "We have our problem with dictators and we are not in the least protesting against Chinese people who live together with us peacefully."