Protest greets former Trump adviser Bannon at Hong Kong investor event

Protesters against Trump's former chief strategist Steve Bannon Steve Bannon demonstrate outside a hotel, where Bannon will speak at the CLSA investor conference in Hong Kong, China September 12, 2017. REUTERS/Bobby Yip

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Protesters outside a luxury hotel in Hong Kong shouted anti-racism slogans on Tuesday ahead of a speech by former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon at an investor conference organized by a unit of China’s largest brokerage.

The far-right architect of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 2016 election victory, Bannon is the latest controversial figure invited to address a forum hosted by CLSA, a subsidiary of state-backed Citic Securities.

Bannon, whose views on immigration, climate and trade helped shape Trump’s election campaign and his first months in office, was fired by the Republican president last month in a push to end factional fighting within the White House.

“No Bannon, no racism,” chanted the group of about 15 demonstrators, who also held up a large black banner carrying the words, “Nazis are not welcome here”.

One protester wearing a mask of Trump held up a placard depicting the U.S. president in the shape of a chicken, with the words, “Toxic nationalist”, on its belly.

A protester burns a photo of Trump's former chief strategist Steve Bannon, before he speaks at the CLSA investor conference in Hong Kong, China September 12, 2017. REUTERS/Bobby Yip

CLSA initially said Bannon’s speech would be open to some print media but reversed its decision a day later, without citing a specific reason, although a CLSA spokeswoman said the event was meant for invited clients only.

Protesters against Trump's former chief strategist Steve Bannon and U.S. President Donald Trump demonstrate outside a hotel, where Bannon will speak at the CLSA investor conference in Hong Kong, China September 12, 2017. REUTERS/Bobby Yip

“We reserve the right to open or close sessions as we see fit,” she wrote in an emailed response to Reuters.

“The CLSA Investors’ Forum provides an agnostic platform for diverse views and opinions from people who influence policy, economies and markets. Mr Bannon is one of these, hence our decision to invite him.”

Past speakers at the forum have ranged from convicted rapist Mike Tyson, former Alaska governor Sarah Palin and former CIA employee Edward Snowden to actors, such as George Clooney and Arnold Schwarzenegger.