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Hong Kong standoff: Pro-democracy crowds swell as police bolster barricades Hong Kong standoff: Pro-democracy crowds swell as police bolster barricades
(34 minutes later)
BEIJING — Thousands of pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong blocked main highways and chanted against Beijing-backed leaders Monday in a deepening standoff that has posed the most serious challenge to China’s policies in the former British colony.BEIJING — Thousands of pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong blocked main highways and chanted against Beijing-backed leaders Monday in a deepening standoff that has posed the most serious challenge to China’s policies in the former British colony.
Protest crowds swelled after nightfall with workers joining thousands of student-led demonstrators camped along major highways and other parts of the city demanding Chinese authorities lift plans to vet candidates in upcoming Hong Kong elections. Protest crowds swelled after nightfall with workers joining student-led demonstrators camped along major roadways, plazas and other parts of the city to demand Chinese authorities lift plans to vet candidates in upcoming Hong Kong elections.
Security forces reinforced barricades and patrols, but did not immediately intervene following street clashes that brought clouds of tear gas to business districts with some of the world’s most expensive real estate.Security forces reinforced barricades and patrols, but did not immediately intervene following street clashes that brought clouds of tear gas to business districts with some of the world’s most expensive real estate.
The protests — which have adopted the ``occupy’’ cry that recalls the former sit-ins near Wall Street and elsewhere — pose an increasing dilemma for Beijing. The protests — which have adopted the “occupy’’ cry that recalls the former sit-ins near Wall Street and elsewhere — pose an increasing dilemma for Beijing.
Chinese authorities risk escalating the street battles with harsher crackdowns. But officials also are desperate to show they will not tolerate unchecked demonstrations that could inspire unrest in other cities.Chinese authorities risk escalating the street battles with harsher crackdowns. But officials also are desperate to show they will not tolerate unchecked demonstrations that could inspire unrest in other cities.
“Resign,’’ some protesters cried in jeers directed at Hong Kong’s leaders perceived as unwilling to stand up to Beijing, reports said.“Resign,’’ some protesters cried in jeers directed at Hong Kong’s leaders perceived as unwilling to stand up to Beijing, reports said.
By nightfall on Monday, police bolstered their ranks around blockades and cordons at some government buildings, but did not immediately intervene. By sundown on Monday, police bolstered their ranks around blockades and cordons at some government buildings, but did not reopen attempts to confront or disperse the crowds.
“People use peace and hope, while the government used tear gas and pepper spray,” said a protest leader, Benny Tai, at a rally in Hong Kong’s upscale Causeway Bay section, according to the South China Morning Post.“People use peace and hope, while the government used tear gas and pepper spray,” said a protest leader, Benny Tai, at a rally in Hong Kong’s upscale Causeway Bay section, according to the South China Morning Post.
On Sunday, riot police unleashed tear gas and pepper spray in street battles since Sunday, leaving nearly 30 people and 12 police officers injured, the Associated Press reported. Protesters fended off the eye-stinging clouds with masks, goggles and even umbrellas — which also have been used by protesters to shield themselves from the sun in what they have dubbed the “umbrella revolution.’’ On Sunday, riot police unleashed tear gas and pepper spray in street battles that injured nearly 30 people and at least 12 police officers, the Associated Press reported. Protesters tried to fend off the eye-stinging clouds with masks, goggles and even umbrellas — which also have been used by protesters to shield themselves from the sun in what they have dubbed the “umbrella revolution.’’
The unrest in Hong Kong has weighed on regional financial markets, but not causing widespread selloffs. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was down 1.9 percent Monday, and other Asian markets were down including Taiwan and Singapore. Japan’s Nikkei and China’s Shanghai shrugged off the protest and both edged slightly higher. Chinese authorities, meanwhile, took quick steps to tighten social media, clearly mindful of how the Web has become an critical tool for protests around the world.
European and U.S. markets also were dragged down in part by worries over the Hong Kong tensions. Beijing’s leaders blocked the photo-sharing network Instagram. Sites such at Twitter and Facebook were not immediately restricted, but activists fear a wider clampdown on social media if the Hong Kong dissent becomes an increasing embarrassment for Chinese authorities.
The uncertainties in Hong Kong have weighed on regional financial markets, but not causing widespread selloffs. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was down 1.9 percent Monday. Other other Asian markets, including Taiwan and Singapore, also were lower. Japan’s Nikkei and China’s Shanghai shrugged off the protest and both edged slightly higher.
European and U.S. markets were dragged down in part by worries over the Hong Kong tensions.
There were few signs it was easing.There were few signs it was easing.
Many schools and banks remained shuttered in Hong Kong, which was transferred to Chinese control in 1997 after more than 150 years under British rule. Authorities fear ongoing protests could force the temporary closure of more businesses — the lifeblood of the city.Many schools and banks remained shuttered in Hong Kong, which was transferred to Chinese control in 1997 after more than 150 years under British rule. Authorities fear ongoing protests could force the temporary closure of more businesses — the lifeblood of the city.
In recent weeks, the democracy movement had appeared to be flagging after a summer of simmering dissent. But this past week, a boycott by students galvanized the cause over the weekend and prompted thousands to join the students’ nonviolent siege of Hong Kong’s government headquarters. In recent weeks, the democracy movement appeared to be flagging after a summer of simmering dissent. But this past week, a boycott by students galvanized the cause and prompted thousands to gather outside Hong Kong’s government headquarters.
Early Monday, Hong Kong’s top leader, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, who is supported by Beijing, exhorted the protesters to go home. “We don’t want Hong Kong to be messy,” he said in a statement on television, the AP reported.Early Monday, Hong Kong’s top leader, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, who is supported by Beijing, exhorted the protesters to go home. “We don’t want Hong Kong to be messy,” he said in a statement on television, the AP reported.
Some protesters pulled back, but others began spreading their occupation from the government headquarters to other parts of downtown, including the Causeway Bay commercial district and the gritty narrow-street neighborhood of Mong Kok.Some protesters pulled back, but others began spreading their occupation from the government headquarters to other parts of downtown, including the Causeway Bay commercial district and the gritty narrow-street neighborhood of Mong Kok.
Driving the confrontation is a ruling last month by Beijing that essentially allows its Communist leaders to weed out any candidates not loyal to the party. The move has angered many in Hong Kong who see it as a violation of Beijing’s promise — dating to 1997, when Britain handed control of the territory back to China — to grant residents universal suffrage by 2017. Driving the confrontation is a ruling last month by Beijing that essentially allows its Communist leaders to weed out any candidates not loyal to the party. The move has angered many in Hong Kong who see it as a violation of Beijing’s promise to grant residents universal suffrage by 2017.
On Sunday, China’s government condemned the latest protest through an unnamed spokesman who was quoted in the state-run Xinhua News Agency as calling protesters’ actions an “unlawful occupation” of government offices.On Sunday, China’s government condemned the latest protest through an unnamed spokesman who was quoted in the state-run Xinhua News Agency as calling protesters’ actions an “unlawful occupation” of government offices.
Beijing’s August ruling, which would essentially keep the 2017 election firmly under party control, seemed to take the wind out of the sails of the organization driving much of the protest — Occupy Central with Love and Peace. Beijing’s August ruling, which would essentially keep the 2017 election firmly under party control, seemed to take the wind out of the sails of the organization driving much of the protest — known as Occupy Central with Love and Peace.
The coming days represent a test for both sides.The coming days represent a test for both sides.
Wednesday marks China’s National Day and Beijing officials are unlikely to tolerate any dissent that could mar the celebrations. But the holiday gives free time for workers to join the protesters in Hong Kong and possibly elsewhere. Wednesday marks China’s National Day and Beijing officials are unlikely to tolerate any dissent that could mar the celebrations. But the holiday gives free time for workers and business owners to join the protesters in Hong Kong and possibly elsewhere.
In the former Portuguese enclave of Macau, rallies are planned in sympathy with the Hong Kong demonstrations.In the former Portuguese enclave of Macau, rallies are planned in sympathy with the Hong Kong demonstrations.
Murphy reported from Washington. Xu Jing in Beijing contributed to this report.Murphy reported from Washington. Xu Jing in Beijing contributed to this report.