News Digest

Hong Kong police use pepper spray amid anger over beating of protestor

Hong Kong police used pepper spray early on Thursday to stop pro-democracy protesters from blocking a major road near the office of the city’s chief executive amid public anger over the police beating of a protester a day earlier. At police headquarters in the nearby district of Wan Chai, hundreds of people gathered outside into the early hours of the morning to express outrage at the beating, with dozens queuing to lodge formal complaints over the incident. Authorities on Wednesday said police involved in the beating of Ken Tsang Kin-chiu, a member of the pro-democracy Civic Party, would be suspended. Footage of the beating has gone viral and injected fresh momentum into a protest movement that had been flagging after nearly three weeks of demonstrations.

I think the police have betrayed us Hong Kong citizens. They are using violence against ordinary citizens.

Research assistant Tony Yip, 23

In the latest confrontation, Hong Kong’s public broadcaster RTHK said protesters rushed onto Lung Wo road next to the office of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, dragging plastic barriers and other objects with them. A Reuters photographer saw protesters later scuffling with a small group of police on the side of the road. Police repelled them using pepper spray. Protesters caught police by surprise 24 hours earlier, erecting makeshift barricades to block the thoroughfare, prompting police to move in and arrest 45 people and clear the road. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s leader says he is ready to start talks with student protestors as soon as next week. Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said Thursday officials have been negotiating with the students through middlemen in the past few days, and authorities are now ready to hold talks on democratic reform.