Violence scuppers hopes of resolving Hong Kong standoff

[Lite Beer]

Violence scuppers hopes of resolving Hong Kong standoff

Another weekend of unrest in Hong Kong, with no end in sight. Photo: AFP

KONG KONG: -- Hopes of finding a resolution to a week of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong collapsed Saturday as students scrapped talks with the government over violent attacks by Beijing supporters and suspected triad members.

Police said they had arrested eight suspected members of triad criminal gangs over ugly clashes at ongoing pro-democracy protests Friday, with demonstrators saying the violence was orchestrated by paid thugs to stir up trouble and discredit the movement.

Amnesty International blasted police, saying officers "stood by and did nothing" to protect protesters, whose rallies have led to much of the city grinding to a standstill for the past week.

But China Saturday pointed the finger again at the democracy campaigners, accusing them of "daydreaming" over the prospect of change.

"The actions taken by Hong Kong police to handle Occupy Central are an inescapable necessity to preserve the rule of law," an editorial in Communist Party mouthpiece the People's Daily said.

It accused the protesters of acting illegally and destabilising the city.

"As for the very few who want, via Hong Kong, to import and instigate a 'colour revolution' in the mainland, they're daydreaming."

It was unclear why the editorial used the term "colour revolution" -- the Hong Kong protests have become know as the "umbrella revolution" after residents used them to protect against pepper spray.

The protests were triggered by China's announcement in August that while Hong Kongers can vote for their next leader in 2017, only candidates vetted by Beijing will be able to stand -- a decision dismissed as "fake democracy" by campaigners.

While the United States, Europe and Japan have all expressed their concern at the scenes playing out in the key Asian financial hub, China's Communist authorities have refused to make concessions.

Students had agreed to talks with the government in an eleventh hour decision on Thursday night as crowds massed outside central government offices demanding Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying resign.

But protest leaders called off the talks late Friday following chaotic scenes in the commercial hubs of Mong Kok and Causeway Bay.

There were widespread allegations of sexual assault in the packed crowds, with three girls seen being bundled into a police van in tears after apparently being assaulted at the Causeway Bay protest.

"There is no other option but to call off talks," said the Hong Kong Federation of Students (HKFS), one of several groups driving a campaign for free elections that has brought tens of thousands of people onto the streets of the semi-autonomous Chinese city.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/violence-scuppers-hopes-of-resolving-hong-kong-standoff-48996.php

-- Phuket News 2014-10-04

[Lite Beer]

H.K. government denies using triad gangs to break up protests

HONG KONG (AFP) - Hong Kong's security chief furiously denied the government had used triad gangs against pro-democracy protesters Saturday after accusations hired thugs had been brought in to stir up violent clashes.

Two of the city’s busiest shopping districts descended into chaos on Friday as groups targeted protesters who have brought parts of Hong Kong to a standstill for the past week.

The protesters are demanding the right to nominate who can run as their next leader in 2017 elections, while Beijing has said only candidates it has approved will be able to stand.

China has accused democracy campaigners of destabilising the city and on Saturday said they were "daydreaming" over the prospect of change.

"The actions taken by Hong Kong police to handle Occupy Central are an inescapable necessity to preserve the rule of law," an editorial in Communist Party mouthpiece the People’s Daily said.

Out of 19 people arrested during Friday’s clashes, police said eight were suspected triads and Amnesty International blasted officers who "stood by and did nothing" to protect protesters.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/H-K-government-denies-using-triad-gangs-to-break-u-30244766.html

-- The Nation 2014-10-04

[Peterphuket]

Ofcourse they denied, what do you expect from communists, look to Tibet, for example.

[mikemellow]

Look at the wall street protests in New York City, America. Corrupt governments never change, But at least in Hong Kong and in New York City the army did not kill anyone they just arrested some people.

[bangon04]

unfortunately the mainland government might be prepared to force the issue, and are apparently not afraid to absorb the short term losses of capital flight and a small brain drain from the province, because they are confident that the HK territories will be long term easier to manage within greater China. They know that foreign condemnation will not hurt them in the long run, and in any case they do not really care. They can afford to ignore the west..