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China warns Hong Kong protesters of ‘unimaginable’ consequences | China warns Hong Kong protesters of ‘unimaginable’ consequences |
(about 1 hour later) | |
HONG KONG — A standoff between pro-democracy demonstrators and Hong Kong’s leaders moved closer toward a possible high-stakes confrontation Thursday as China made clear it would not compromise, protesters threatened to block more government buildings and police brought in riot gear and vowed to stop them. | |
Shortly before nightfall, a swarm of officers made their way toward the besieged government headquarters at the heart of Hong Kong’s protest, carrying what appeared to be boxes of rubber bullets and tear gas. Hong Kong authorities warned in a statement that they would take action if protesters try to occupy government buildings. | |
As crowds grew throughout the night, the sharper, confrontational signals on both sides suggested that the showdown could be moving toward a pivotal moment. | |
What began as outrage against plans by Chinese authorities to vet Hong Kong election candidates has broadened into a collision of two sharply differing visions about the former British colony. | |
Protesters say they want the semiautonomous status China promised them when it took over Hong Kong in 1997. Leaders in Beijing have made clear they will not give up their grip over Hong Kong’s leaders and the way they are chosen. And Beijing’s uncompromising stance is driven in part by fears that successful protests in Hong Kong could inspire dissent to bubble up elsewhere in China. | |
As dusk fell Thursday, the mood grew palpably tense in front of government headquarters. Protest organizers asked those with children and pets to leave the area and began donning goggles and masks in case police deployed tear gas as they did Sunday night. | |
Attendance at the pro-democracy demonstrations had waned over the past day, but as word spread online of a possible police crackdown, protesters returned by the hundreds to the protest site. | |
Volunteers rushed in trolleys full of water, food, umbrellas and safety goggles. | |
Near the government headquarter’s harbor-side entrance, which has become a flashpoint for confrontation, dozens of protesters sat down in front of metal barricades guarded by police. | |
The swift change in mood marked a sharp contrast from previous days, when the protests at times had been almost festive. After a police attempt to disperse crowds by using tear gas backfired, drawing even greater numbers of protesters out of sympathy, the police had largely withdrawn from the scene, while the government adopted a waiting strategy. | |
By holding off, authorities appeared to be betting that the protests would lose steam and that public sentiment would gradually turn against the demonstrations in the absence of conflict. | |
Until Thursday night, that bet seemed to be paying off. | |
At the same time, however, Hong Kong’s ultimate rulers in Beijing made clear through messages in state media that they were leaving no room for compromise. | |
An editorial Wednesday in the People’s Daily newspaper called the demonstrations illegal and said ominously that if they continue, the “consequences will be unimaginable.” | |
The paper, considered the flagship mouthpiece for the ruling Communist Party, followed up with front-page editorial Thursday warning that continued protests would drive Hong Kong into “chaos.” | |
The editorial also expressed full support for Leung Chun-ying, Hong Kong’s chief executive. A faction of students among the demonstrators has threatened to escalate protests if Leung does not resign by the end of the day Thursday. | |
The editorial said the protesters were not engaged in communication but rather “confrontation.” It said, “These activists ought to be held legally responsible for this unlawful behavior.” | |
An escalation by protesters or use of force by police could change the trajectory of the week-long demonstrations. Up to now, the demonstrators have scrupulously avoided giving authorities reason to move beyond the protesters’ barricades. | |
But the lack of 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 forcing 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, analysts said. | |
If the protests endure for weeks or months, they said, 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 protests from reaching a Chinese audience. Some experts estimate 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. |
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. | 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. Xu Jing in Beijing and Brian Murphy in Washington contributed to this report. |