Hong Kong pro-democracy leaders threaten to call off talks after violence

Leaders of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong have threatened to call off talks with the Government after demonstrators were involved in scuffles with pro-Beijing supporters. The government must prevent “organised attacks on supporters of the Occupy Central movement”, they said. The protesters, angry at China’s plan to vet election candidates, have been occupying parts of the city. They had earlier accepted an offer of talks from Hong Kong’s chief executive. However, violent scuffles broke out in Mong Kok, on the Kowloon peninsula, as hundreds of supporters of Chinese rule stormed tents and ripped down banners belonging to pro-democracy protesters, forcing many to retreat.

You don’t hold Hong Kong citizens hostage because it’s not going to work. That’s why the crowd is very angry here.

Protestor Victor Ma, 42

Many local residents have been angered by the disruption caused by the protests. Police linked arms to try to separate the opposing groups. Similar scuffles took place in Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island, where residents tried to remove barricades put up by pro-democracy protesters. Some demonstrators held umbrellas for police in the rain while Beijing supporters shouted at police for failing to clear the demonstrators. Following violence against them, a statement from the three main protest groups said: “If the Government does not immediately prevent the organised attacks on supporters of the Occupy Central movement, the students will call off dialogue on political reform with the Government.”

Sentiments are running high because of the prolonged strike, which leads to a higher chance of conflict.

Hong Kong Chief Secretary Carrie Lam

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