This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-29477731
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Hong Kong protests: Leaders threaten to call off talks | Hong Kong protests: Leaders threaten to call off talks |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Leaders of pro-democracy protest groups in Hong Kong have threatened to call off talks with the government after demonstrators were involved in scuffles with angry opponents. | Leaders of pro-democracy protest groups in Hong Kong have threatened to call off talks with the government after demonstrators were involved in scuffles with angry opponents. |
| The government must prevent "organised attacks" on supporters, they said. One group representing students has since said it would not take part in talks. | The government must prevent "organised attacks" on supporters, they said. One group representing students has since said it would not take part in talks. |
| Protesters angry at plans to vet poll candidates have occupied some areas. | Protesters angry at plans to vet poll candidates have occupied some areas. |
| They had earlier accepted an offer of talks from Hong Kong's chief executive. | They had earlier accepted an offer of talks from Hong Kong's chief executive. |
| In the commercial district of Mong Kok, on the Kowloon peninsula, opponents of the demonstrators dismantled tents. | In the commercial district of Mong Kok, on the Kowloon peninsula, opponents of the demonstrators dismantled tents. |
| Police linked arms to try to separate the opposing groups. | Police linked arms to try to separate the opposing groups. |
| Later, more pro-democracy activists flooded the area and now vastly outnumber their opponents, says the BBC's Martin Patience in Mong Kok. | Later, more pro-democracy activists flooded the area and now vastly outnumber their opponents, says the BBC's Martin Patience in Mong Kok. |
| They began chanting: "Go back to the mainland." Many activists suspect that these people are coordinated by the Hong Kong or Chinese governments. | |
| But their very presence there is a reminder that not everyone in Hong Kong is on the side of the protesters, our correspondent says. | |
| 'Just a game' | 'Just a game' |
| At least some of the protesters' opponents appear to be local residents angered by the disruption. | |
| "I don't support Occupy Central. We have to work and make money. Occupy is just a game," said a construction worker who gave his name as Mr Lee, quoted by AFP news agency. | "I don't support Occupy Central. We have to work and make money. Occupy is just a game," said a construction worker who gave his name as Mr Lee, quoted by AFP news agency. |
| "Give us Mong Kok back, we Hong Kongers need to eat!" another said. | "Give us Mong Kok back, we Hong Kongers need to eat!" another said. |
| Similar scuffles took place in Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island, where residents tried to remove barricades put up by pro-democracy protesters. | Similar scuffles took place in Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island, where residents tried to remove barricades put up by pro-democracy protesters. |
| The three main protest groups issued a statement blaming the authorities for the violence. | The three main protest groups issued a statement blaming the authorities for the violence. |
| "If the government does not immediately prevent the organised attacks on supporters of the Occupy movement, the students will call off dialogue on political reform with the government," it said. | "If the government does not immediately prevent the organised attacks on supporters of the Occupy movement, the students will call off dialogue on political reform with the government," it said. |
| One of the groups, the Hong Kong Federation of Students, later said in a statement it had "shelved" negotiations with the government. | One of the groups, the Hong Kong Federation of Students, later said in a statement it had "shelved" negotiations with the government. |
| "The government allowed the mafia to attack peaceful Occupy participants. It has cut off the path to a dialogue, and should be responsible for the consequences," it said. | "The government allowed the mafia to attack peaceful Occupy participants. It has cut off the path to a dialogue, and should be responsible for the consequences," it said. |
| "The government has not kept its promise. We have no choice but to shelve the talks." | |
| It was not clear whether the statement reflected the position of other groups, but Occupy Central leader Benny Tai told the BBC they were still only considering a boycott and that moves were being made to arrange the talks. | |
| However, he said police were not protecting the demonstrators against attacks by their opponents and this situation could not continue. | |
| "At this point it's very, very difficult to maintain any sense of dialogue if the government does not stop these things happening to peaceful protesters," he said. | |
| 'Doomed to fail' | |
| Government offices in the main protest-hit area have been closed, with the authorities urging staff to work from home because roads were blocked. | Government offices in the main protest-hit area have been closed, with the authorities urging staff to work from home because roads were blocked. |
| At the heart of the row is how Hong Kong elects its next leader. In August, Beijing imposed tight rules on nominations for candidates wanting to stand for election. | At the heart of the row is how Hong Kong elects its next leader. In August, Beijing imposed tight rules on nominations for candidates wanting to stand for election. |
| The protesters say this move means that the polls will fall short of the free elections they are seeking. | The protesters say this move means that the polls will fall short of the free elections they are seeking. |
| Several days into their week-long demonstrations, the protesters added the demand that Chief Executive CY Leung step down. | Several days into their week-long demonstrations, the protesters added the demand that Chief Executive CY Leung step down. |
| Mr Leung refused late on Thursday but offered talks with his deputy, which the activists accepted. | Mr Leung refused late on Thursday but offered talks with his deputy, which the activists accepted. |
| The central government in Beijing has thrown its full support behind Mr Leung, calling the protests illegal and "doomed to fail". | The central government in Beijing has thrown its full support behind Mr Leung, calling the protests illegal and "doomed to fail". |
| Hong Kong democracy timeline | Hong Kong democracy timeline |
| Q&A: Hong Kong's democracy controversy | Q&A: Hong Kong's democracy controversy |
| Are you affected by the protests? Get in contact by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you affected by the protests? Get in contact by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.ukor text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.ukor text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
| Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |