News Digest

Hong Kong protesters scrap talks as government issues ultimatum

Hong Kong student leaders have called off talks with the government aimed at bringing an end to mass pro-democracy rallies, accusing police of failing to act over violent attacks on their protest camps by opposition crowds that included Beijing supporters. Ugly scenes in several districts on Friday and Saturday saw protesters who had staged a peaceful week-long sit-in left injured and bloodied after groups of angry opponents, some waving Chinese flags, started clashes while police struggled to maintain control. Hong Kong’s main student union claimed the violence was carried out by paid thugs from “triad” criminal gangs sent to stir up trouble.

The police inaction tonight is shameful. The authorities have failed in their duty to protect peaceful protesters who came under attack.

Mabel Au, director of Amnesty International Hong Kong

The city’s top leader, Chief Secretary Leung Chun-ying, appeared on television Saturday evening to once again urge everyone to go home, saying things needed to get back to normal by Monday. The confrontations, mostly in the gritty, blue-collar Mong Kok district, led protest leaders to call off planned talks with the government on political reforms. Students and other activists object to China’s decision to require a committee of mostly pro-Beijing figures screen candidates for the city’s first-ever election of its top leader in 2017. They are also demanding Leung’s resignation. With the talks suspended, the next steps are uncertain.