Hong Kong’s chief executive has refused to quit but offered talks to pro-democracy protest leaders minutes before their deadline for him to resign at midnight on Thursday.
Student leaders had threatened to occupy government facilities if he refused to go, but they urged demonstrators to stay calm as thousands gathered around his office building in the Admiralty area.
Leung Chun-ying said in a press conference that he would not resign, but announced he had asked chief secretary Carrie Lam to speak to student representatives, as they had requested. He made it clear talks would have to be within the framework laid out by Beijing.
It was the first sign of movement in a stand-off that has lasted for days, with tens of thousands of protesters taking over a large area of downtown Hong Kong. The street demonstrations are the biggest challenge to Beijing’s authority in the former British colony since its handover to China in 1997.
Lam said she would seek to arrange talks as soon as possible, adding: “I hope both sides will be satisfied … Students had wanted a public meeting but I hope we can have some flexibility to discuss details.”
Earlier in the evening, she had met pro-Beijing and pan-democratic lawmakers to canvass their views.
China has promised Hong Kong universal suffrage for the 2017 election of the next chief executive. While Hong Kong residents knew limits would be imposed on their choice, many were angered by the toughness of the restrictions – which in effect rule out any prospect of a democrat standing.
Student leader Lester Shum told protesters it was a critical moment because the government had agreed to talk to them. He urged them to remain calm and not seek to rush the police cordon, which would only cause police to try to disperse protesters, causing possible injuries.
He also pleaded with them not to occupy the road running past the office complex, because it would antagonize the public.
“We need the citizens to support us and fight with us. If [during the talks] Carrie Lam just repeats that she has to strictly follow the national legislature’s decision … There are plenty of chances to escalate our actions,” he said.
He was interrupted by some protesters pressing him for more details of the meetings. In an indication of the problems leaders face in marshaling a movement that has clearly grown beyond them and taken on its own momentum, a small group occupied part of the road. Others chanted at them to leave it and joined hands in a human chain to stop more people getting through.
In a statement, Occupy Central with Love and Peace welcomed the announcement of talks, adding: “OCLP respects the students’ position that they will concentrate on discussing political reforms at the negotiating table. However, we reiterate our view that [Leung] is the one responsible for the stalemate, and that he must step down.”
Hundreds remained sitting outside Leung’s offices following the news. Katy Huen, a 26-year-old nurse, said the offer of talks was “better than nothing” but had little faith the government would change its minds. “We stay here peacefully – not to cross the [police] lines.”
Eugene Chan, a 17-year-old student, added: “It’s good that they are starting to talk about dialogue, but that doesn’t mean our opinions will be heard.”
Tensions had risen over the day after police warned of serious consequences if students tried to occupy official buildings and were seen carrying rubber bullets and other riot equipment into the compound housing the chief executive’s offices.
Pictures shared widely on social media showed police carrying in long boxes, a barrel labelled “Round, 38mm rubber baton multi” and another with “1.5 in, CS” on it, a possible reference to CS gas.
Protesters donned goggles and masks for the first time in several days. Student leader Joshua Wong urged students not to try to storm the complex, describing it as a trap.
Leung said in his press conference police had shown “maximum tolerance” and would continue to tolerate protests as long as participants did not charge police lines.
The Hong Kong government urged people to clear the streets and the Chinese government hardened its public remarks on the movement. The official People’s Daily newspaper, the voice of the Communist party, said China was “very satisfied” with Leung and had full confidence in his leadership.
Its front-page commentary also supported police handling of the “illegal activities” and accused protesters of threatening to drag the region into chaos.
Police have maintained a low-key presence since the use of pepper spray and teargas against protesters on Sunday galvanized tens of thousands more people to join the movement.
Spokesman Steve Hui said: “We stress that police will not tolerate any illegal surrounding of government buildings.”
While some have dubbed the movement the “umbrella revolution,” participants have been at pains to stress they do not seek independence from China nor the overthrow of the Communist party – simply the right to a real choice of the next chief executive. As protests gained pace they also demanded the resignation of the current incumbent.
3 WAYS TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
- Log in to post comments
