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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Hong Kong protests: Leader says 'external forces' involved | Hong Kong protests: Leader says 'external forces' involved |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Hong Kong leader CY Leung has accused "external forces" of involvement in the territory's pro-democracy protests - claims strongly denied by protesters. | |
| In a TV interview, Mr Leung said the rallies, which have paralysed parts of the territory for three weeks, were "out of control" even for organisers. | In a TV interview, Mr Leung said the rallies, which have paralysed parts of the territory for three weeks, were "out of control" even for organisers. |
| The protesters are calling for fully democratic elections in Hong Kong. | |
| They are angered by the Chinese government's decision to vet candidates for the leadership polls in 2017. | |
| Police and protesters have scuffled amid tense stand-offs in recent days. | Police and protesters have scuffled amid tense stand-offs in recent days. |
| Student leaders and Hong Kong officials have agreed to hold negotiations on Tuesday. The talks will be broadcast live on television. | Student leaders and Hong Kong officials have agreed to hold negotiations on Tuesday. The talks will be broadcast live on television. |
| 'Really irresponsible' | |
| Speaking on a local channel, Mr Leung said the protests were "not entirely a domestic movement, as external forces are involved" - although he declined to give details or name the countries he thought were involved. | Speaking on a local channel, Mr Leung said the protests were "not entirely a domestic movement, as external forces are involved" - although he declined to give details or name the countries he thought were involved. |
| Alex Chow, from the Hong Kong Federation of Students, one of the groups leading the protests, said: "To make a statement that there are foreign powers infiltrating this movement right before the discussions, is evidence that CY [Leung] is hoping to crack down on the entire movement. | |
| "As the chief executive of Hong Kong, he should probably have solid evidence before making such a statement. He can't just say there is foreign infiltration and this is really irresponsible." | |
| One protester, Jeffrey Hui, told the BBC: "This is something which is purely by citizens, purely by those who live in Hong Kong, those who care about Hong Kong, who stand up and go against the regime." | One protester, Jeffrey Hui, told the BBC: "This is something which is purely by citizens, purely by those who live in Hong Kong, those who care about Hong Kong, who stand up and go against the regime." |
| Mainland Chinese officials have frequently warned against "foreign interference" in Hong Kong, while Chinese state media have accused the West of "instigating" the protests. | |
| Analysts have argued that China could be making allegations of interference to discourage foreign governments from supporting the protests. | Analysts have argued that China could be making allegations of interference to discourage foreign governments from supporting the protests. |
| Tens of thousands took part in demonstrations earlier this month, demanding full democracy. | Tens of thousands took part in demonstrations earlier this month, demanding full democracy. |
| While protest numbers have dwindled in recent days, activists remain entrenched in the Admiralty area of Hong Kong Island, and in Mong Kok, a residential and shopping district across the harbour. | While protest numbers have dwindled in recent days, activists remain entrenched in the Admiralty area of Hong Kong Island, and in Mong Kok, a residential and shopping district across the harbour. |
| Mr Leung would not confirm whether the government would attempt to clear the demonstrations again, but said: "We need time to talk to the people, particularly young students. What I want is to see a peaceful and a meaningful end to this problem." | Mr Leung would not confirm whether the government would attempt to clear the demonstrations again, but said: "We need time to talk to the people, particularly young students. What I want is to see a peaceful and a meaningful end to this problem." |
| Mr Leung added that the protests had "gone out of control even for the people who started it. They cannot end the movement, which is a major concern". | |
| Benny Tai, one of the founders of the Occupy Central protest movement, has previously said: "When a social movement provides a citywide political awakening, it can no longer be controlled by the organisers." | Benny Tai, one of the founders of the Occupy Central protest movement, has previously said: "When a social movement provides a citywide political awakening, it can no longer be controlled by the organisers." |
| "People in power have the ability to fulfil democratic demands, and they are the people who can control the movement." | "People in power have the ability to fulfil democratic demands, and they are the people who can control the movement." |
| The protesters, who are mostly students, accuse Mr Leung of failing to stand up to the Chinese Communist Party. | The protesters, who are mostly students, accuse Mr Leung of failing to stand up to the Chinese Communist Party. |
| On Saturday night, there were brief clashes as police charged at protesters in Mong Kok. | On Saturday night, there were brief clashes as police charged at protesters in Mong Kok. |
| It was unclear what sparked the charge, with some reports saying protesters had tried to breach barricades. | It was unclear what sparked the charge, with some reports saying protesters had tried to breach barricades. |
| At least 20 people were reported injured in the scuffles. | At least 20 people were reported injured in the scuffles. |