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Hong Kong Leader Open to Talks With Protesters Hong Kong Leader Open to Talks With Protesters
(35 minutes later)
HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s leader said on Thursday that the city government hoped to meet with student protest leaders as soon as possible, as the authorities struggled to remove pro-democracy demonstrators who have occupied some of the city’s most important thoroughfares for nearly three weeks.HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s leader said on Thursday that the city government hoped to meet with student protest leaders as soon as possible, as the authorities struggled to remove pro-democracy demonstrators who have occupied some of the city’s most important thoroughfares for nearly three weeks.
But even as he proposed holding negotiations with protest leaders, Hong Kong’s chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, said he was in no position to offer concessions to the protesters’ demands for democratic elections, leaving unclear how he intends to resolve Hong Kong’s worst political crisis since China resumed sovereignty from Britain 17 years ago. But Hong Kong’s chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, said he was in no position to offer concessions to the protesters who are demanding democratic elections, leaving unclear how he intends to resolve the territory’s worst political crisis since China regained sovereignty from Britain 17 years ago.
“First, we can’t make something unconstitutional constitutional,” he said, citing as an example the main demand by protesters to give voters the right to nominate his successor.“First, we can’t make something unconstitutional constitutional,” he said, citing as an example the main demand by protesters to give voters the right to nominate his successor.
Mr. Leung said that it was Beijing, and not himself, who had the power to amend or overturn the Chinese national legislature’s decision on electoral change for Hong Kong, which had angered advocates of democratic reform for the city. Mr. Leung said that it was Beijing, and not he, who had the power to amend or overturn the Chinese national legislature’s framework for Hong Kong elections in 2017, which had angered democracy advocates.
“It’s not up to the Hong Kong government, but the central government” that the Chinese legislature would not retract its decision, he said. Last week, the government put on hold the talks with student leaders over how far the electoral overhaul promised by Beijing could go. In August, the Chinese legislature issued a proposal requiring that candidates for the post of Hong Kong chief executive be vetted by a group dominated by pro-Beijing interests. The decision led to a series of protests, student strikes and the “Occupy” demonstrations.
Mr. Leung is backing a decision made by China’s legislature in August requiring that candidates be vetted by a group dominated by pro-Beijing interests. The decision has led to a series of protests, student strikes and the “Occupy” demonstrations. Mr. Leung said it was "not up to the Hong Kong government, but the central government” that the Chinese legislature would not retract its decision. Last week, the Hong Kong government put on hold the talks with student leaders over how far the electoral overhaul promised by Beijing could go.
Negotiations are further complicated by the Hong Kong authorities’ increasing effort to clear away protesters’ roadblocks to reopen arteries to traffic. Early Wednesday, hundreds of protesters retaliated against those efforts by blocking a road in front of the chief executive’s office. Negotiations are further complicated by the authorities’ efforts to clear the protesters’ roadblocks to reopen traffic. Early Wednesday, hundreds of protesters retaliated by blocking a road in front of the chief executive’s office.
That is also where early Wednesday a protester was apparently beaten by several police officers for about four minutes, drawing a larger-than-usual turnout at the rally on Wednesday night at the main protest site in the Admiralty neighborhood. A protester at the site was apparently beaten by several police officers for about four minutes, drawing a larger-than-usual turnout at the rally on Wednesday night at the main protest site in the Admiralty neighborhood.
Infuriated by the beating, which was shown on television, the protesters attempted to blockade more streets early Thursday morning. Kong Man-keung, a senior police superintendent, told reporters on Thursday afternoon that seven police officers said to be involved in the beating had been identified and suspended. He said that the alleged victim, Ken Tsang, resisted arrest after he poured an unidentified liquid on several police officers.Infuriated by the beating, which was shown on television, the protesters attempted to blockade more streets early Thursday morning. Kong Man-keung, a senior police superintendent, told reporters on Thursday afternoon that seven police officers said to be involved in the beating had been identified and suspended. He said that the alleged victim, Ken Tsang, resisted arrest after he poured an unidentified liquid on several police officers.
Mr. Tsang, who has been identified as a member of the pro-democracy Civic Party, is now facing charges of assaulting the police, unlawful assembly and obstructing the police, Mr. Kong said.Mr. Tsang, who has been identified as a member of the pro-democracy Civic Party, is now facing charges of assaulting the police, unlawful assembly and obstructing the police, Mr. Kong said.
Mr. Tsang said on Wednesday night that he was also beaten in the police station after his arrest. He plans to pursue legal action against the police and will not make further comments, he said that night, before lifting up his shirt and revealing to reporters dozens of bruises on his back, chest and face.Mr. Tsang said on Wednesday night that he was also beaten in the police station after his arrest. He plans to pursue legal action against the police and will not make further comments, he said that night, before lifting up his shirt and revealing to reporters dozens of bruises on his back, chest and face.