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China warns Hong Kong protesters of ‘unimaginable’ consequences China warns Hong Kong protesters of ‘unimaginable’ consequences
(34 minutes later)
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. HONG KONG — A standoff between pro-democracy demonstrators and Hong Kong’s leaders moved closer toward a 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.
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.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.
Hong Kong authorities also issued a statement warning that they would retaliate if protesters try to occupy government buildings.Hong Kong authorities also issued a statement warning that they would retaliate if protesters try to occupy government buildings.
The sharper messages from both sides suggest the showdown could be moving toward pivotal moments. The sharper messages from both sides suggest that the showdown could be moving toward pivotal moments.
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.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. Protesters say Hong Kong cannot relinquish the semiautonomous 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 that 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. Protest organizers have held firm. They asked demonstrators with children and pets to leave the area. At the same 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.” Chinese authorities stepped up warnings, saying the demonstrations are illegal and that, 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. 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 among the demonstrators has threatened to escalate the protests if Leung does not resign by the end of the day Thursday.
“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.” “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 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.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 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.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.
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 had apparently expected the protests to lose steam and the public to gradually turn 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 . But on Wednesday, a holiday celebrating the Chinese Communist Party’s ascent to power, large crowds turned out in a public demonstration against Beijing’s political control .
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. Protest organizers now seek to keep momentum as the prospect of a renewed crackdown grows. Also, opposition leaders must persuade followers to remain as their tactics become more aggressive. Up to now, the demonstrators have been scrupulous to avoid giving authorities reason to move beyond their barricades.
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 the lack of a centralized leadership among the protesters could test their 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.
“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.
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. Meanwhile, the patience shown by the authorities, including in Beijing, could quickly vanish if signs emerge that Hong Kong’s democratic fervor is spreading to the mainland.
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. If the protests endure 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, analysts said.
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 protests from reaching a Chinese audience. Some experts estimate 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. At least 20 people in China have been detained and 60 called in for questioning for posting online messages of support for the protests, Amnesty International said Wednesday.
Deane reported from Rome. Ishaan Tharoor in Hong Kong, Xu Jing in Beijing and Brian Murphy in Washington also contributed to this report. Deane reported from Rome. Ishaan Tharoor in Hong Kong, Xu Jing in Beijing and Brian Murphy in Washington contributed to this report.