HK gov't to talk with Occupy students next week

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, October 16, 2014
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The Hong Kong government of China hopes to have formal talks with representatives of the students participating in Occupy movement next week, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying announced here Thursday.

Leung told a press briefing that the government will hold talks with all circles including representatives of the Federation of Students, one of the major organizers of Occupy movement, to push ahead with the work of constitutional development of Hong Kong.

Leung said the government hopes to discuss universal suffrage with the students and start the dialog as early as the following week.

He suggested that the formal talks could be presided over by presidents of universities in Hong Kong.

However, the preconditions for the discussions such as the amendment of the Basic Law and civil nomination for the election of the next chief executive would be unpractical, he added.

He also reiterated that it is impossible for the National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) to withdraw its decision on Hong Kong's constitutional development.

The dialogue between the HK government and the students, previously scheduled for Oct. 10, was canceled by the HK government last Thursday when Chief Secretary Carrie Lam said the basis for a constructive dialogue had been undermined.

Also on Thursday, Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen said that the Hong Kong government is eager to discuss constitutional reform with the students and other parties, but talks must be conducted in a rational manner.

Speaking to the media after returning from his London visit, Yuen said the HK government is open to dialogue before or during the second round of consultation on constitutional reform.

During a press briefing on Thursday afternoon, Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Raymond Tam noted that some protesters are asking the HK government to submit a supplementary report to the NPCSC, asking the NPCSC to amend, adjust or withdraw its August 31 decision, but he stressed the idea is not practical.

Tam said that constitutionally there is no step under which the HK government can submit another report, a move that does not comply with the statutory procedures of Hong Kong's constitutional reform.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong police said Thursday that two men were arrested for disorderly conduct in the public place and assaulting police, and three police officers were injured as a crowd of people once again charged into Lung Wo Road in Admiralty in the early morning.

At around midnight of Wednesday, a number of people rushed out into Lung Wo Road, which caused severe traffic congestion. Some drivers accused the protesters of choking off traffic.

Scores of police officers soon blocked the people and the demonstrators retreated to the pavements. Ten minutes later, traffic resumed.

Some protesters threw water bottles and traffic indicator boards on the road. A 38-year-old man was arrested for disorderly conduct in public place as he kicked a bottle which hit a private car traveling on the road.

During the arrest, a large crowd of protesters attempted to obstruct police and surrounded the police.

The police said that their repeated advice and warnings were ignored. The protesters attempted to charge the police and therefore police fired pepper spray to disperse the protesters.

During the incident, another 24-year-old man was arrested for assaulting a police officer. A total of three police officers were injured, according to the police.

The police appealed to the protesters not to obstruct and charge the police, and reiterated that any act endangering public order and public safety will not be tolerated.

Speaking to the media this afternoon, Chief Executive CY Leung said it has been a huge challenge for police to withstand continuous illegal activities. Yet they continue to handle their duties professionally and effectively, such as by re-opening Queensway to traffic without conflicting with protesters.

Leung said the protests have been disrupting traffic, social order and economic activities. Social resentment is rising, with some people taking matters into their own hands and trying to reopen roads themselves.

He said the HK government and police have the responsibility to uphold social order and enforce the law. The protests' negative impact cannot continue indefinitely, and police will take appropriate actions at a suitable juncture, he added.

Speaking on an allegation that a protester was beaten by police officers, Leung said there are laws, policies and mechanisms to handle such cases, and he is against politicizing the incident.

He said Hong Kong needs the police to maintain law and order, and he urged the community to obey the law.

 

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