Thousands of Hong Kong protesters regroup
11 Oct Yahoo News
Thousands of protesters regrouped in central Hong Kong on Friday to
push their demand for democracy, a day after the government called off
talks with students amid a two-week standoff that has shaken communist
China's capitalist hub.
The political crisis has seen tens of thousands take to the city
streets to push for free elections and seek the resignation of Hong Kong
leader Leung Chun-ying.
Scores arrived with tents, suggesting they were in for the long haul
despite a call by police to remove obstacles that have blocked major
roads in and out of the financial centre, causing traffic and commuter
chaos with tail-backs stretching for miles.
Police said they would take action at an appropriate time, without
specifying what that would be.”
I've just set up camp here under the bridge and I will come down to
occupy whenever I can,” said Wong Lai-wa, 23. “I may have to go back to
school during the day, but I will make every effort to come back.”
China rules the former British colony through a “one country, two
systems” formula which allows wide-ranging autonomy and freedoms not
enjoyed on the mainland and specifies universal suffrage as an eventual
goal.
But Beijing said in August it would screen candidates who want to run
for the city's election for a chief executive in 2017, which democracy
activists said rendered the notion of universal suffrage meaningless.
China has branded the protests illegal and on Friday criticised the
U.S. Congress for sending the “wrong message” to demonstrators, in a
“deliberate attack” on China.In an annual report to U.S. Congress, the
Congressional-Executive Commission on China said Washington should boost
support for democracy and universal suffrage in Hong Kong.
Speaking in Berlin, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said: “Hong Kong's
affairs belong to the internal affairs of China and all other countries
must respect each others sovereignty.” He added there had been and would
be no change in China's policy on Hong Kong's autonomy.”
I am sure the people of Hong Kong and the government of Hong Kong
have the competency to ensure the wealth and stability of society,” he
said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she hoped protests would remain
peaceful and “solutions can be found in a free exchange of opinion which
will satisfy the people of Hong Kong”.The protesters are well equipped
to sit it out, with supply stations stocked with essentials.
They also have makeshift showers and dozens of tents pitched where
they can sleep.
“Everyone is trying to create his own space, or to defend his own
position,” said Travis Chu, sitting with four friends in the Admiralty
district. “Even though it seems things are in a bottleneck now, all we
can do is to stay on and continue the occupation.”
Admiralty is home to government offices next to the Central business
district, giving the name to the “Occupy Central” movement, which has
combined with the student protests to try to push the government to
introduce universal suffrage.
The crowd had built to over 1,000 in the gritty, crowded suburb of
Mong Kok, on the Kowloon side of the harbour, scene of some of the most
violent clashes between protesters and police and pro-Beijing groups
last week.
The government's decision on Thursday to call off the talks with
students came as democratic lawmakers demanded anti-graft officers
investigate a $6.4 million business payout to the city's pro-Beijing
leader, Leung Chun-ying, while in office.
Australia's Fairfax Media this week revealed the business payout to
Leung by an Australian engineering company.
Hong Kong Chief Secretary Carrie Lam said the talks with the students
were off because of the strident demands for universal suffrage, which
she said was not in accordance with the city's mini-constitution, and
because of their “illegal” occupation of parts of the city and calls for
people to rally.
|