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Hong Kong police clear pro-democracy camp at key intersection Hong Kong police clear pro-democracy camp at key intersection
(about 2 hours later)
HONG KONG — Police cleared a pro-democracy camp at a key intersection before dawn Friday, a day after Hong Kong’s leader said he is ready to start talks with protesters but rejected in advance any major concessions. HONG KONG — Police cleared a pro-democracy camp at a key intersection Friday and later clashed with protesters trying to reclaim the site in confrontations that suggested a government offer for talks has done little to ease tensions.
The raid showed the quick-strike strategies of security forces seeking to regain control of the streets after three weeks of demonstrations — which began in opposition to Beijing’s rules for Hong Kong elections but later expanded into wider challenges to China’s control over the former British colony. The scuffles came a day after Hong Kong’s leader, Leung Chun-ying, said he is ready to start dialogue with protesters. But Leung rejected in advance any major concessions to address demands that Beijing stick to promises of greater political autonomy for the former British colony.
Although authorities appeared to make another gain in the showdowns for streets and plazas, the protesters have faced crackdowns before and managed to regroup. The see-saw nature of the day underscored the resolve on both sides.
Protest leaders also said the clearance casts doubt on the government’s sincerity to engage in talks. Security forces moved into the area before dawn as part of quick-strike strategies seeking to regain control of the streets after three weeks of demonstrations — which began in opposition to Beijing’s rules for Hong Kong elections, but later expanded into wider challenges to China’s control.
“If the government does not agree with the students’ position, it can rebut them during the dialogue,” said a statement from Occupy Central, one of the protest organizers. “It is unreasonable for the government to require the students to first abandon their position before engaging in dialogue.” Protesters gave up the ground, but later regrouped and showed their willingness to keep up the fight. The Associated Press reported that police used pepper spray and batons to fend off the surge of protesters in the congested Mong Kok district, across the harbor from the heart of the movement near government headquarters.
Hundreds of police, wearing helmets and brandishing riot shields and batons, stormed the camp in the congested Mong Kok neighborhood, across the harbor from the heart of the movement near government headquarters. Occupy Central, one of the protest organizers, said the police action in Mong Kok throws into the question the offer for talks.
The nighttime raid came as many protesters slept in dozens of tents or under tarpaulin sheets. The protesters retreated without resisting, but later some trickled back to the site. No major force was used, according to witness statements reported by news agencies. “It is unreasonable for the government to require the students to first abandon their position before engaging in dialogue,” said a statement from the group.
Traffic returned to normal after police removed the barricades, tents, shrines and umbrellas — a symbol of the protests. Police on motorbikes escorted the first civilian vehicles to pass along the road in three weeks. The protesters, led by students, have been demanding reforms in how Hong Kong’s chief executive is named. They have also been calling for the Leung’s resignation.
The action also reduced the number of protest sites that have paralyzed parts of Asia’s premier financial center since Sept. 28. Leung has ruled out any main concessions such as attempts to overturn — or even challenge — the Chinese Communist Party’s decision in August that provoked the protests.
The protesters, led by students, have been demanding reforms in how Hong Kong’s chief executive is named. They have also been calling for the resignation of the current leader, Leung Chun-ying. China said that the 2017 election would be open to all voters for the first time in Hong Kong’s history, but that the choices on the ballot would be limited to those approved by Beijing.
Leung told a news conference Thursday that his office was prepared to talk to the protesters. But he ruled out any main concessions such as attempts to overturn — or even challenge — the Chinese Communist Party’s ruling in August that provoked the protests.
China said that the 2017 election would be open to all voters for the first time in Hong Kong’s history, but that the choices on the ballot would be limited to those approved by Beijing. Among the qualifications: The candidates must “love China.”
Last week, the government canceled planned talks after student leaders called for a rally to coincide with the dialogue. Leung’s latest proposal may offer little room to ease the standoff.
“All the protests would be for nothing, pretty much, if they can’t discuss the very thing they are protesting about,” said Michael Davis, a law professor at the University of Hong Kong.
“We can’t even raise questions to the Beijing government?” he added. “What kind of autonomy is that?”
Hong Kong was offered a “high degree of autonomy” by China when Britain handed over the territory in 1997. But critics say China is chipping away at the promise and that Leung is doing next to nothing to stop it.Hong Kong was offered a “high degree of autonomy” by China when Britain handed over the territory in 1997. But critics say China is chipping away at the promise and that Leung is doing next to nothing to stop it.
Leung suggested that students focus not just on the 2017 election but also on lobbying for change in the electoral system in subsequent elections.Leung suggested that students focus not just on the 2017 election but also on lobbying for change in the electoral system in subsequent elections.
Tensions have increased in recent days. On Wednesday morning, police used pepper spray during clashes with demonstrators and arrested 45 people. Tensions have increased in recent days after clashes between protesters and security forces trying to clear streets one of Asia’s main financial hubs.
Outrage also rose after a video, which went viral on the Internet, appeared to show police leading a handcuffed protester around a dark corner, forcing him to the ground and repeatedly kicking him. Police said the seven officers involved have been suspended.Outrage also rose after a video, which went viral on the Internet, appeared to show police leading a handcuffed protester around a dark corner, forcing him to the ground and repeatedly kicking him. Police said the seven officers involved have been suspended.
This week, police have been clearing barricades from major roads around the protest sites to reduce traffic congestion. Protesters have responded by trying to erect new ones.
Deane reported from London.Deane reported from London.