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China warns Hong Kong protesters of ‘unimaginable’ consequences China warns Hong Kong protesters of ‘unimaginable’ consequences
(about 3 hours later)
HONG KONG — China warned the thousands of Hong Kong residents still occupying the streets of Hong Kong Thursday that their pro-democracy demonstrations are illegal and that if they continue, the consequences could be “unimaginable.” HONG KONG — A standoff between pro-democracy demonstrators and Hong Kong’s leaders moved closer toward possible high-stakes confrontation Thursday as protesters threatened to block more government buildings and Chinese authorities warned of “unimaginable” consequences unless the crowds back down.
In a front-page editorial in the People’s Daily newspaper, the flagship paper of China’s Communist Party, China also gave its full support to the present government of Hong Kong, including its chief executive, Leung Chun-ying. Shortly before nightfall, a swarm of police made their way toward the besieged government headquarters at the heart of the protest, carrying what appeared to be boxes of rubber bullets, tear gas and other riot gear.
The protesters have been demanding that Leung step down with some of their leaders threatening to start occupying buildings Thursday if their demands are not met. Hong Kong authorities also issued a statement warning that they would retaliate if protesters try to occupy government buildings.
“They have incited the masses, paralyzed transportation, disrupted businesses, stirred up conflict, and interfered with the daily lives of Hong Kong people,” the editorial said about the pro-democracy protesters. The sharper messages from both sides suggest the showdown could be moving toward pivotal moments.
“This has gone so far as to threaten people’s safety, as well as their property,” said the editorial in the People’s Daily, considered a mouthpiece for the Chinese government. “These activists ought to be held legally responsible for this unlawful behavior.” What began as outrage against plans by Chinese authorities to vet Hong Kong election candidates has broadened into a collision of two sharply different visions about the former British colony.
Protesters say Hong Kong cannot relinquish the semi-autonomous status promised when China took control in 1997. Leaders in Beijing appear unwilling to make compromises over their central authority or negotiate with protesters, fearing any sign of weakness could inspire dissent to bubble up elsewhere.
Protest organizers have held firm. They asked demonstrators with children and pets to leave the area. At the some time, they appealed for others to join their ranks, which have dipped over the past day.
Chinese authorities stepped up warnings, saying the demonstrations are illegal and, if they continue, the “consequences will be unimaginable.”
In a front-page editorial in the People’s Daily newspaper, the flagship paper of China’s Communist Party, China also said it fully supports Leung Chun-ying, Hong Kong’s chief executive. A faction of students within the protesters have threatened to escalate their occupation if Leung does not resign by Thursday’s end.
“This has gone so far as to threaten people’s safety, as well as their property,” said the newspaper. “These activists ought to be held legally responsible for this unlawful behavior.”
The editorial said the protesters were not engaged in communication, but rather “confrontation.”The editorial said the protesters were not engaged in communication, but rather “confrontation.”
It said they have “shamed” Hong Kong, harming its reputation as a hub of international business. It warned that if the protesters continue, the “consequences will be unimaginable.” It added that the protests have “shamed” Hong Kong, harming its reputation as a hub of international business. World financial markets have suffered in response to the pro-democracy demonstrations, which sharply escalated late last week.
The editorial said that it wasn’t “fair that Hong Kong’s stock market tumbles day after day, with financial institutions being forced to temporarily shut down some operations” because of the protests. World financial markets have suffered in response to the pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong, Asia’s premier business destination. The warnings from authorities — and the defiant response from protesters — suddenly hardened the mood of the demonstrations, which had become almost festive after officials pulled back security forces following clashes on Sunday.
Thousands of demonstrators kept up their occupation of Hong Kong streets Thursday. The Hong Kong government had apparently expected the protests to lose steam and the public gradually turning against them in the absence of conflict.
The Hong Kong government — after an initial tough response with tear gas Sunday that only drew more demonstrators to the streets — has laid low, apparently betting on the protesters losing steam and the public gradually turning against them in the absence of conflict. But Wednesday, a holiday celebrating the Chinese Communist Party’s ascent to power, saw large crowds in a public demonstration against Beijing’s political control .
Wednesday, a holiday celebrating the Chinese Communist Party’s ascent to power, saw some of the biggest crowds yet in a public demonstration against Beijing’s political control — a demonstration that has scrambled calculations about the nature of Hong Kong’s self-rule. Protest organizers now seek to keep momentum as the odds grow of a renewed crackdown. Also, opposition leaders must persuade followers to remain as their tactics grow more aggressive. Up to now, the demonstrators have been scrupulous to avoid giving authorities reason to move beyond their barricades.
The organizers of the protests must find a way to keep the momentum on their side, against the risk that Hong Kong residents who showed up Wednesday will feel they have made their point and want to get back to their regular lives. But the lack of a centralized leadership among the protester could test its unity. Various factions have set different priorities. Some seek Leung’s resignation as the first goal while others favor concentrating on trying to force China to roll back the election rules.
But at the same time, the patience shown by the authorities, including in Beijing, could quickly vanish if signs emerge that Hong Kong’s democratic fervor was spreading to the mainland.
The protesters are demanding that Leung resign and that Beijing back down on plans to vet candidates in Hong Kong elections. But not everyone on the streets agrees with the threat to escalate by occupying buildings. Up to now, the demonstators have been punctilious about obeying the law.
For days, their loose organization has in many ways been their strength — bringing in far more numbers and support than previous incarnations run by distinct groups with formal leaders.
But as time drags on, that structure could make it harder to agree on a course of action, or to enter into negotiations with the authorities and achieve tangible gains through compromise with the government.
“Right now, as protesters decide what to do next, decentralization is the weak link that Leung’s government can exploit to sow dissension,” said Willy Lam, an analyst at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.“Right now, as protesters decide what to do next, decentralization is the weak link that Leung’s government can exploit to sow dissension,” said Willy Lam, an analyst at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Interviews with Hong Kong legislators, former officials and Leung advisers — as well as protesters — make it clear that Leung’s choice to wait is not just the logical step for him but one of the only things he can do. Meanwhile, the patience shown by the authorities, including in Beijing, could quickly vanish if signs emerge that Hong Kong’s democratic fervor was spreading to the mainland.
Resorting to force seems unlikely not just from a public-relations perspective, but because the people on the streets vastly outnumber police ranks. Sending in the People’s Liberation Army would equally be a disaster, creating instant parallels to the Tiananmen Square crackdown of 1989. If the protests continue stretching into the weeks or months, Chinese President Xi Jinping could look weak and open himself to criticism among party rivals that he has lost Hong Kong.
A waiting strategy, however, has its own risks.
If the protests continue in large numbers for weeks or months, Chinese President Xi Jinping could look weak and open himself to criticism among party rivals that he has lost Hong Kong.
Already, China’s censors have been working overtime to keep images and news of the protest from reaching a Chinese audience, with some experts estimating that deleted posts on social media have reached record highs since Saturday.Already, China’s censors have been working overtime to keep images and news of the protest from reaching a Chinese audience, with some experts estimating that deleted posts on social media have reached record highs since Saturday.
CNN and other foreign news channels have gone black in China at the mere mention of Hong Kong.CNN and other foreign news channels have gone black in China at the mere mention of Hong Kong.
And at least 20 people in China have been detained and 60 called in for questioning for posting online messages of support for the protest, Amnesty International said Wednesday.And at least 20 people in China have been detained and 60 called in for questioning for posting online messages of support for the protest, Amnesty International said Wednesday.
Daniela Deane contributed to this report from Rome. Ishaan Tharoor in Hong Kong, Xu Jing in Beijing also contributed to this report. Deane reported from Rome. Ishaan Tharoor in Hong Kong, Xu Jing in Beijing and Brian Murphy in Washington also contributed to this report.