2 protesters arrested, 3 police officers hurt in latest clashes
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HONG Kong’s leader said yesterday he is ready to start talks with student protest leaders as early as next week, suggesting a breakthrough in a political crisis that has seen demonstrators paralyze the city’s key business districts for almost three weeks.
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying 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 the Occupy movement, to push ahead with the work of constitutional development in Hong Kong.
The government hopes to discuss universal suffrage with the students and start the dialogue as early as next week, Leung said.
He suggested that the formal talks could be presided over by the presidents of Hong Kong’s universities.
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 said.
Leung also reiterated that it is impossible for the National People’s Congress Standing Committee to withdraw its decision on Hong Kong’s constitutional development.
The dialogue between students and officials planned for last Friday was canceled by the city government the day before, when Chief Secretary Carrie Lam said the basis for talks had been undermined.
Also yesterday, Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen said the Hong Kong government is eager to discuss constitutional reform with the students and other parties, but that the talks must be held in a rational manner.
Speaking to the media after returning from his London visit, Yuen said the Hong Kong government is open to dialogue before or during the second round of consultation on constitutional reform.
During a press briefing yesterday, Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Raymond Tam said some protesters are asking the city government to submit a supplementary report to the NPCSC, asking it 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 Hong Kong government can submit another report, as the move would not comply with the procedures of the city’s constitutional reform.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong police said that two men were arrested for disorderly conduct in a public place and assaulting police, while three police officers were injured as a crowd of people charged into Lung Wo Road in Admiralty yesterday morning.
A number of people rushed into the road early yesterday morning, causing 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. The traffic flow resumed 10 minutes later.
Some protesters threw water bottles and traffic indicator boards onto the road.
A 38-year-old man was arrested for disorderly conduct after kicking a bottle that hit a car traveling on the road.
A large crowd of protesters attempted to obstruct police making the arrest. Officers said that their repeated advice and warnings were ignored.
When the protesters attempted to charge the police, officers responded by firing pepper spray at them.
Also during the incident, a 24-year-old man was arrested for assaulting a police officer. Three officers were reportedly hurt in the clash.
The police appealed to protesters not to obstruct or charge the police, and reiterated that any act endangering public order or public safety would not be tolerated.
According to Leung, Hong Kong’s police are acting in a professional and restrained manner in handling the Occupy Central protests, despite the huge pressure on their stamina and resolve.
He said it has been a huge challenge for police to withstand continuous illegal activities, and yet they are continuing to handle their duties — such as reopening Queensway to traffic without clashing with protesters — professionally and effectively.
The protests have disrupted traffic, social order and economic activity, he said, adding that social resentment is rising, with some people taking matters into their own hands and trying to reopen roads.
The government and police have the responsibility to uphold social order and enforce the law, he said.
The protests’ negative impact cannot continue indefinitely, and the police will take appropriate action at a suitable juncture, he said.
Speaking about an allegation that a protester was beaten by police officers, Leung said there are laws, policies and mechanisms in place to handle such cases, adding that he is against politicizing the incident.
Hong Kong needs the police to maintain law and order, he said, urging the community to obey the law.
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