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Hong Kong protests: What has changed? Hong Kong protests: What's changed?
(about 20 hours later)
Following two months of relatively peaceful street occupations by pro-democracy activists, clashes erupted again in Hong Kong in November 2014 as the authorities moved in to clear protest camps. The BBC finds out why. Clashes have erupted again in Hong Kong after the authorities moved in to clear protest camps. For two months pro-democracy activists have occupied various parts of the territory, and protests have occasionally turned violent.
Why are the authorities cracking down now?Why are the authorities cracking down now?
Since the street occupations began in September in three key spots - Mong Kok, Admiralty and Causeway Bay - the authorities have largely tolerated protesters, apart from occasional skirmishes, while ensuring partial access to some roads. Since the street occupations began in September in three key spots - Mong Kok, Admiralty and Causeway Bay - the authorities have largely tolerated protesters.
But the high court began granting injunctions to businesses and industry groups to clear roads in November. This triggered a round of clearances led by bailiffs assisted by the police. But the High Court began granting injunctions to businesses and industry groups to clear roads in November, triggering a round of clearances by bailiffs and the police.
The first attempt - to clear the roads outside Citic Tower in Admiralty - went smoothly on 18 November with some activists even helping out. This was largely attributed to the fact that the area was a relatively small portion of the Admiralty camp. The first clearance in Admiralty on 18 November passed off peacefully.
But it was a different story when the authorities demolished the entire Mong Kok camp the following week, with clashes erupting and protesters repeatedly attempting to retake the site. But clashes erupted the following week when the authorities demolished the entire Mong Kok camp.
Student protesters accused the police of violence, and tried to shut down government offices in Admiralty on 1 December, prompting a strong response from the police.Student protesters accused the police of violence, and tried to shut down government offices in Admiralty on 1 December, prompting a strong response from the police.
Another injunction has been granted to clear a section of Connaught and Harcourt Roads - the major stronghold of protesters.Another injunction has been granted to clear a section of Connaught and Harcourt Roads - the major stronghold of protesters.
Does this mean protests are dying out?Does this mean protests are dying out?
The students have insisted that public opinion is still on their side, but the numbers at protest sites and polls indicate that the public has grown increasingly weary of the disruption and unrest.The students have insisted that public opinion is still on their side, but the numbers at protest sites and polls indicate that the public has grown increasingly weary of the disruption and unrest.
At its peak, the pro-democracy movement saw tens of thousands of Hong Kong residents from all walks of life take to the streets. Two months on, just a few hundred remain camped out in tent cities, most of whom are students and young workers.At its peak, the pro-democracy movement saw tens of thousands of Hong Kong residents from all walks of life take to the streets. Two months on, just a few hundred remain camped out in tent cities, most of whom are students and young workers.
Meanwhile, a mid-November poll done by the University of Hong Kong's public opinion programme found that a majority of respondents did not support the protests.Meanwhile, a mid-November poll done by the University of Hong Kong's public opinion programme found that a majority of respondents did not support the protests.
A majority also backed the Hong Kong government's clearance of the sites, though some believed that it could allocate other areas for protesters.A majority also backed the Hong Kong government's clearance of the sites, though some believed that it could allocate other areas for protesters.
Student leaders have also found it difficult to make headway. Earlier talks with city officials proved fruitless, an attempt to travel to Beijing was blocked by Hong Kong authorities, and two leaders - Joshua Wong and Lester Shum - were arrested for obstructing police in Mong Kok and are now out on bail.Student leaders have also found it difficult to make headway. Earlier talks with city officials proved fruitless, an attempt to travel to Beijing was blocked by Hong Kong authorities, and two leaders - Joshua Wong and Lester Shum - were arrested for obstructing police in Mong Kok and are now out on bail.
But repeated attempts to retake Mong Kok - some involving hundreds of protesters - and the latest clash with police outside government offices in Admiralty indicate that a core group of activists remains resolute. On 2 December, three of the co-founders of the Occupy Central movement called for protesters to retreat. The three turned themselves in to a police station the next day, though the authorities have not charged them with any offence.
Is Beijing ultimately behind all this? What is the Chinese government saying?
China's central government has continuously condemned the ongoing street occupations, and state-controlled mainland media outlets have accused pro-democracy activists of "intensifying" the crisis with the latest clash.China's central government has continuously condemned the ongoing street occupations, and state-controlled mainland media outlets have accused pro-democracy activists of "intensifying" the crisis with the latest clash.
One of the Hong Kong business groups that has taken out an injunction to clear the protest sites is a joint-venture controlled by Chinese state-owned Citic Group.One of the Hong Kong business groups that has taken out an injunction to clear the protest sites is a joint-venture controlled by Chinese state-owned Citic Group.
Though it remains unclear whether Beijing had a direct hand in the applications, many in the business sector - which is increasingly reliant on China - have opposed the protests since day one, on the grounds that it would hurt the economy and anger Beijing.Though it remains unclear whether Beijing had a direct hand in the applications, many in the business sector - which is increasingly reliant on China - have opposed the protests since day one, on the grounds that it would hurt the economy and anger Beijing.
How will all this end?
Questions remain on whether either the Hong Kong or Beijing governments will eventually lose patience and crack down harshly on protesters.
Since the start of the protests, Beijing has publicly expressed its support for Hong Kong chief executive CY Leung's handling of the situation and his strategy, which according to some reports was to contain the protests and wait it out.
Even though the authorities had from the start declared the street occupations illegal, police only moved to clear sites two months later, after court injunctions were granted to civilian groups.
Correspondents say that this may signal the beginning of the end, and authorities may seriously consider clearing further sites, particularly with groups applying for more injunctions to clear the streets.
But protesters have vowed to remain on the streets and threatened to launch retaliations as well as retake key sites. The government in turn has told them to stay out and warned of "resolute action" by the police. This leaves open the possibility of escalation from both sides.