Biodun Iginla, BBC News

Biodun Iginla, BBC News

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Hong Kong protests: Leader says 'external forces' involved


by Xian Wan and Biodun Iginla, BBC News, Hong Kong

Pro-democracy protesters stand their ground in the Mong Kok district of Hong Kong, 19 October 2014 Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests have lasted for more than three weeks
Hong Kong leader CY Leung has accused "external forces" of involvement in the territory's pro-democracy protests.
In a TV interview, Mr Leung said the rallies, which have paralysed parts of the territory for three weeks, were "out of control" even for organisers.
The protesters want fully democratic elections, and are angered by the Chinese government's decision to vet candidates for the 2017 polls.
Police and protesters have scuffled amid tense stand-offs in recent days.
Student leaders and Hong Kong officials have agreed to hold negotiations on Tuesday. The talks will be broadcast live on television.
Warnings Speaking on a local channel, Mr Leung said the protests were "not entirely a domestic movement, as external forces are involved" - although he declined to give details or name the countries he thought were involved.
Mainland Chinese officials have frequently warned against "foreign interference" in Hong Kong, while Chinese state media have accused the West of "instigating" the protests.
Protesters and student leaders have denied any outside involvement (in Chinese).
One protester, Jeffrey Hui, told the BBC: "This is something which is purely by citizens, purely by those who live in Hong Kong, those who care about Hong Kong, who stand up and go against the regime."
Analysts have argued that China could be making allegations of interference to discourage foreign governments from supporting the protests.
Tens of thousands took part in demonstrations earlier this month, demanding full democracy.
Pro-democracy advocates raise their hands in a symbolic show of peace and non-violence, during a rally of the ongoing Occupy Central movement at Admiralty district of Hong Kong, 19 October 2014 Although overall protest numbers have decreased, large numbers still remain on the streets
As Celia Hatton reports, some of the protesters see Mong Kok as a key bargaining tool
While protest numbers have dwindled in recent days, activists remain entrenched in the Admiralty area of Hong Kong Island, and in Mong Kok, a residential and shopping district across the harbour.
Mr Leung would not confirm whether the government would attempt to clear the demonstrations again, but said: "We need time to talk to the people, particularly young students. What I want is to see a peaceful and a meaningful end to this problem."
He added that the protests had "gone out of control even for the people who started it. They cannot end the movement, which is a major concern".
Benny Tai, one of the founders of the Occupy Central protest movement, has previously said: "When a social movement provides a citywide political awakening, it can no longer be controlled by the organisers."
"People in power have the ability to fulfil democratic demands, and they are the people who can control the movement."
The protesters, who are mostly students, accuse Mr Leung of failing to stand up to the Chinese Communist Party.
A policeman holding a baton advances towards pro-democracy protesters as they clash on a street in the Mong Kok district of Hong Kong early on 19 October 2014 Clashes have erupted between protesters and police officers
Graduates are seen in their caps, gowns and symbolic yellow democracy umbrellas by barricades in Mong Kok, 19 October 2014 Four graduates hold yellow umbrellas that have come to symbolise the protest movement
A pro-democracy protester wearing a helmet, goggles and foam pads poses for a picture on a blocked road at the Mong Kok shopping district in Hong Kong, 19 October 2014 Many protesters have prepared themselves for possible clashes with riot police
On Saturday night, there were brief clashes as police charged at protesters in Mong Kok.
It was unclear what sparked the charge, with some reports saying protesters had tried to breach barricades.
At least 20 people were reported injured in the scuffles.

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