News Digest

Hong Kong pro-democracy protests spread as Beijing stands firm

Pro-democracy rallies, expanding farther across Hong Kong Wednesday in the early hours of China’s National Day holiday, are threatening to escalate beyond the aims of some organizers and raise the chance of confrontation. Both the government and protesters had dug into their positions Tuesday: Protest organizers called on chief executive Leung Chun-ying to resign by midnight or face growing masses on the streets. Mr. Leung urged protesters to return home in his first public remarks since police cracked down on protesters Sunday. He has said protests wouldn’t change Beijing’s decision to effectively prescreen candidates for the election of Hong Kong’s top leader – the issue at the root of the protests. Student leader Joshua Wong, 17, also led a silent protest at Golden Bauhinia Square, the setting for celebrations of the 65th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. As China’s national anthem played and the flag was raised, around 30 protesters turned their backs and raised crossed hands in silence, while military planes and helicopters flew above.

If Occupy spreads to more places, it may actually lessen support because there are some people who support the movement but still want to be able to go about their jobs and daily lives.

K.Y. Chan, a 30-year-old office worker

China’s government has condemned the student-led protests as illegal, though so far it has not overtly intervened, leaving Hong Kong’s semi-autonomous government to handle the crisis. But Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying’s rejection of the student demands dashed hopes for a quick resolution of the five-day standoff that has blocked city streets, forcing some schools and offices to close. Leung’s statement drew a defiant response from the students. Alex Chow, secretary general of the Hong Kong Federation of Students, organiser of the university class boycotts that led to the street protests, said the students were considering various options, including widening the protests, pushing for a labour strike and possibly occupying a government building. The war of words underlined growing apprehension ahead of the weeklong holiday in China, which draws many mainlanders to Hong Kong to sightsee and shop. The combination of events to celebrate patriotism toward China and the start of a big shopping week fueled fears on the streets Tuesday night that the city would try to clear them out.