News Digest

Hong Kong Chief Executive agrees to meet protesters as deadline passes

Hong Kong chief executive CY Leung has said he will meet with student protest leaders to head off the threat of violence. Tensions are rising after police were earlier seen apparently restocking supplies of rubber bullets and riot gear. Photographs showed a number of officers carrying boxes apparently containing ammunition and tear gas into the government’s headquarters, a source told the South China Morning Post. The demonstrators have given Leung until midnight to step down or face a significant escalation in the standoff. Hundreds of people have massed outside his office and thousands more remain on the streets. Authorities have warned of “resolute enforcement action” and “dire consequences” if protesters follow through with their threat to enter government buildings.

Up to three hours ago the Hong Kong authorities have agreed to a meeting with the Chief Secretary representing the Hong Kong government to discuss the constitutional development.

Cy Leung, Hong Kong Chief Executive

Police spokesman Steve Hui urged the protesters to remain calm and restrained. An occupation of buildings would mark a new stage in the peaceful demonstrations, raising fears police could again use tear gas to keep control. China appears to be slowly losing patience with the protesters’ refusal to move from the streets since late last week. Communist Party-run newspaper People’s Daily has warned of “unimaginable consequences” if activists ignored calls to go home. State TV, meanwhile, urged protesters to support efforts to “deploy police enforcement decisively” and “restore the social order in Hong Kong as soon as possible”.

I came out today to support the movement. No student leaders or occupy leaders urged me to come out. I came out on my own.

Pierre Wong, a 36-year-old IT technician