Hong Kong activists ‘doomed to fail’

Tensions in Hong Kong are rising after police were seen unloading boxes of tear gas and rubber bullets.
Thousands strong ... Hong Kong has been plunged into the worst political crisis since its 1997 handover as pro-democracy activists take over the streets. Picture: Xaume Olleros Source: AFP
PRO-DEMOCRACY protesters in Hong Kong clashed with police outside government offices as tensions ran high this morning, despite an eleventh-hour agreement for talks, as China said the demonstrators were “doomed to fail”.
Although most overnight demonstrators had gone home by the morning, more than 100 remained outside the government complex which is now the focal point of protests that have brought parts of the city to a standstill for five days.
Demonstrators are sceptical over what can be gained by the discussions with the government of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, which were agreed to late Thursday to defuse escalating tensions as crowds demanded Leung’s resignation.
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TIANANMEN: China expert live tweets massacre 25 years on Boiling point ... pro-democracy student protesters scuffle with police as an ambulance tries to leave the compound of the chief executive office in Hong Kong. Source:
AP
And today China reiterated its tough stance ahead of the first popular ballot in 2017 to choose the Hong Kong leader, saying there was “no room to make concessions on important principles”.
Police pushed through around 100 demonstrators who were blocking an exit this morning, saying that a seriously ill officer needed to be let out in an ambulance.
In chaotic scenes, protesters refused to move shouting “liar, liar,” in response to the request to move, with police finally forcing their way through to make a path for the ambulance.
Relations between protesters and police have deteriorated since tear gas was fired to disperse crowds last Sunday and boxes carrying rubber bullets were seen being carried by officers on Thursday.
Students vowed to continue their occupation after Leung announced that the government was willing to hold talks with them.
Not backing down ... Hong Kong protesters continue to demand the resignation of Leung Chun-ying. Source: AP
Many are still demanding that the leader step down — and are not impressed by his nomination of his deputy to represent the government in the talks.
“I think he is avoiding people who are voicing their views,” Abigail Hon, 19, told AFP this morning.
“From now on I am going to stay overnight. We hope that Leung can face the problem and respond to what we demand right now,” she said, adding that she wants Leung to speak directly with the students.
The Occupy Central group said it welcomed the talks, adding it hoped they would “provide a turning point in the current political stalemate”.
It was not clear when the talks would start.

The WSJ's Diana Jou speaks to Cardinal Joseph Zen, the former bishop of Hong Kong, about why he supports the pro-democracy protesters.

On August 31, China said Hong Kongers would be able to vote for their next chief executive in 2017 but that only candidates vetted by a loyalist committee would be allowed to stand, a decision dismissed as “fake democracy” by campaigners.
Their protests have attracted support from people and politicians around the world.
Huge crowds have shut down central areas of the Chinese city with mass sit-ins all week. Demonstrators had set a midnight Thursday deadline for Leung to quit and for Beijing to guarantee full democracy to the former British colony.
But China has strongly backed Leung and pledged support for police over the protests, which pose a huge challenge to its rule at a time when the Communist Party is cracking down on dissent on the mainland.
In an editorial Friday the People’s Daily, the Communist Party mouthpiece, repeated Beijing’s unbending response.
“Upholding the (August 31) decision of the standing committee of the National People’s Congress is the necessary decision, and the only decision,” it said, adding that the protests are “against legal principles, and doomed to fail”.
Determined lot ... protesters maintained barricades around government headquarters frustrating staff going to work. Source: AP
Analysts say it is unlikely Leung will step down, in what would be a massive loss of face for Beijing and the Hong Kong establishment.
“If Beijing forces him to resign, they will be seen to be buckling under pressure from the protesters,” said Willy Lam, a China scholar at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Authorities have scrubbed mentions of the protests from Chinese social media, while rights groups say more than a dozen activists have been detained on the mainland and as many as 60 others questioned for expressing support for the Hong Kong crowds.
Beijing’s latest comments came after China’s foreign minister issued a stern warning to the United States not to meddle in its “internal affairs”.
Not budging ... protesters refused to move shouting “liar, liar,” in response to a police request to move to make way for an ambulance to help a “seriously ill police officer”. Source: AP
International concern continues to grow, with the European Union calling on all sides to remain calm.
“In the light of the ongoing demonstrations, we welcome the restraint shown by both sides. We urge all sides to continue to exercise this restraint,” an EU spokeswoman said on Thursday.
Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong, welcomed the government’s offer to talk with students, in comments to the BBC.
However, he called Beijing “foolish” for not trusting the people of Hong Kong to elect a suitable candidate to lead the financial hub.
Earlier, China scolded the United States, saying pro-democracy protests sweeping Hong Kong were none of its business and brushing off US calls for restraint, warning it will not tolerate “illegal acts”.
“The Chinese government has very firmly and clearly stated its position. Hong Kong affairs are China’s internal affairs,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told US Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday ahead of talks at the State Department.
Pro-democracy ... student protesters raise their hands in defiance at police as an ambulance tries to leave the compound of the chief executive office in Hong Kong. Source: AP
“All countries should respect China’s sovereignty and this is a basic principle of governing international relations,” Mr Wang said sternly.
“I believe for any country, for any society, no one would allow those illegal acts that violate public order. That’s the situation in the United States and that’s the same situation in Hong Kong.”
Mr Kerry however renewed US calls for restraint by the Hong Kong authorities in tackling the protests with huge crowds gathering Wednesday in defiant mood on China’s National Day.
“As China knows, we support universal suffrage in Hong Kong, accordant with the Basic Law,” Mr Kerry told reporters, standing alongside Mr Wang.
Stand-off ... thousands of Hong Kong pro-democracy demonstrators have massed outside the offices of the city’s embattled leader Leung Chun-ying. Picture: Jonathan Nackstrand Source: AFP
“We believe in an open society with the highest possible degree of autonomy and governed by rule of law is essential for Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity,” Mr Kerry said.
“And we have high hopes that the Hong Kong authorities will exercise restraint and respect the protesters right to express their views peacefully.”
Beijing is grappling with one of the biggest challenges to its rule over the city, triggered after it restricted who can run as the commercial hub’s next chief executive.
Mr Wang threw Beijing’s support behind the Hong Kong authorities, saying that they had the “capability to properly handle the current situation in accordance with the law.”
Fighting back ... Beijing is grappling with one of the biggest challenges to its rule over Hong Kong, triggered after it restricted who can run as the commercial hub’s next chief executive. Picture: Alex Ogle Source: AFP
Overnight, thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators massed outside the offices of Mr Leung in a tense standoff with police, calling for him to resign.
About 200 police equipped with riot helmets, gas masks and shields stood firm behind metal barricades in the early hours of Thursday as more than 3000 protesters gathered outside Mr Leung’s office.
A car nearly hit the crowd as it swerved past, further raising tensions as the protesters yelled at the police from behind the barricades and chanted for Mr Leung — seen by critics as a Beijing stooge — to step down.
The spike in tensions came after three days of peaceful demonstrations in which tens of thousands of people took over major Hong Kong highways, calling for Beijing to allow free elections in the semi-autonomous city.
Disruptions ... protesters have brought key parts of the city to a standstill, heavily disrupting the transport network and shutting down businesses. Picture: Alex Ogle Source: AFP
On Wednesday night, one of the student leaders organising the protests threatened to step up the action — including a possible attempt to occupy government offices — if Mr Leung did not resign by Thursday.
“We will consider having different operating actions in future days, including occupying other places like important government offices,” said Agnes Chow of student movement Scholarism.
Students have been at the forefront of the demonstrations but others have swelled their ranks since riot police tear-gassed protesters on Sunday night, in chaotic scenes that triggered an outpouring of support.
The protesters are furious at the central government’s refusal to allow free elections for the city’s next leader in 2017, insisting that only two or three candidates vetted by a pro-Beijing committee will be permitted to stand.
Among those gathered were expats from Hong Kong as well as others in Britain to study. Picture: Danny E. Martindale Source: Getty Images
They call this “fake democracy” and have two demands — that Mr Leung steps down and that Beijing reverses its decision.
In a movement being dubbed the ‘umbrella revolution’ — a nod to the umbrellas they have used to protect themselves against tear gas, the sun and torrential downpours alike — the protesters have brought key parts of the city to a standstill, heavily disrupting the transport network and shutting down businesses.
Wednesday and Thursday are both public holidays in Hong Kong, leaving many workers free to swell the masses in the streets.
Thousands demonstrate outside the Chinese Embassy in London, in support of Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests. Picture: Danny E. Martindale Source: Getty Images
In London, 3000 people gathered outside the Chinese embassy to demonstrate support for the pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.
Many carried umbrellas, the symbol of the movement, while others held banners aloft demanding “Democracy by 2017,” the BBC reports.
“We are out to tell people in Hong Kong you are not alone. There are many people standing together across the world,” said PhD student Desmond Sham, one of the organisers. “We are just one of the actions of global solidarity.”
Ellen Or, 49, who studies in London but is returning to Hong Kong on Thursday to join the protests there, said she was demonstrating “for the future of Hong Kong”.

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