Hong Kong Democratic Party Founder Criticizes Beijing
HONG KONG —
As the pro-democracy occupation in Hong Kong stretches into a second week, authorities have agreed to discuss the protesters' basic demands on the constitution, the Basic Law. Democratic Party founder Martin Lee said the government is violating the law under pressure from Beijing.
Hong Kong's democracy demonstrators are smaller in number than during previous days, and they lifted blockades allowing civil servants to resume work. They are determined to occupy central parts of the city, though, until their demands for genuine elections are met.
Authorities backed off threats to use force and Democratic Party founder Martin Lee said violence is not likely.
“I don't see the Tiananmen Square scenario being re-enacted in Hong Kong. I don't see that happening," said Lee. "I don't think the present regime would like to see that happen and there's no need to do that. Because back in 1989 the communist party was worried that it might be overthrown. But, there's no such fear today in Hong Kong, particularly when the demonstrators have all acted with love and peace.”
Scenes of tear gas and attacks by those opposed to the occupation have been replaced by occasional emotional clashes. In a breakthrough on the stand-off, government and student leaders agreed to direct talks on Hong Kong's constitution, the Basic Law.
Legal violation
The law is violated by Beijing's efforts to prevent Hong Kong people from directly choosing their leader, according to Lee.
“Beijing delayed it twice. Each time five years," he said. "And now finally when we thought that we would have genuine democracy for the election of the chief executive in 2017, Beijing now wants to move the goal posts and say 'ok, you can have one person one vote but we choose all the candidates for you.'”
But the talks between the protesters and Hong Kong government are a good sign, said Lee.
“Well, if there is good will, particularly on the side of the government, then this could possibly end beautifully. But, again, Beijing holds all the cards,” he said.
Analysts say Beijing is not likely to give in to the demands out of fear that a confrontational leader could be chosen, or that mainland Chinese also would demand to elect their own leaders.
Hong Kong Developments - Monday, October 6, 2014
1/9Government employees arrive to work as they walk along an area occupied by protesters outside of the government headquarters building in Hong Kong, Oct. 6, 2014.
Pro-democracy protesters remained in a tense stalemate with the Hong Kong government late on Sunday after authorities warned they were determined to get the Asian financial hub back to work after more than a week of unrest.
2/9Protesters of the Occupy Central movement rest under a tent on a main road at the Mong Kok shopping district in Hong Kong, October 6, 2014.
Pro-democracy protesters remained in a tense stalemate with the Hong Kong government late on Sunday after authorities warned they were determined to get the Asian financial hub back to work after more than a week of unrest.
3/9An Occupy Central movement protester stands guard on a main road at the Mong Kok shopping district in Hong Kong, Oct. 6, 2014.
Pro-democracy protesters remained in a tense stalemate with the Hong Kong government late on Sunday after authorities warned they were determined to get the Asian financial hub back to work after more than a week of unrest.
4/9Pro-democracy student protesters sit on a roadside in the occupied areas surrounding the government complex in Hong Kong, Oct. 6, 2014.
Pro-democracy protesters remained in a tense stalemate with the Hong Kong government late on Sunday after authorities warned they were determined to get the Asian financial hub back to work after more than a week of unrest.
5/9Pro-democracy student leader Alex Chow walks by Hong Kong's Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's office where a few student protesters are sitting and staging their protest in Hong Kong, Oct. 6, 2014.
Pro-democracy protesters remained in a tense stalemate with the Hong Kong government late on Sunday after authorities warned they were determined to get the Asian financial hub back to work after more than a week of unrest.
6/9A man rides his bicycle to work along an area blocked by protesters at the main street to the financial Central district outside of the government headquarters building in Hong Kong, Oct. 6, 2014.
Pro-democracy protesters remained in a tense stalemate with the Hong Kong government late on Sunday after authorities warned they were determined to get the Asian financial hub back to work after more than a week of unrest.
7/9People walk to work on a main road in the occupied areas surrounding the government complex in Hong Kong, Oct. 6, 2014.
Pro-democracy protesters remained in a tense stalemate with the Hong Kong government late on Sunday after authorities warned they were determined to get the Asian financial hub back to work after more than a week of unrest.
8/9Pro-democracy student protesters show their placards at the Chinese University of Hong Kong campus in Hong Kong, urging students to stop studying, Oct. 6, 2014.
Pro-democracy protesters remained in a tense stalemate with the Hong Kong government late on Sunday after authorities warned they were determined to get the Asian financial hub back to work after more than a week of unrest.
9/9A man walks to work as the pro-democracy student protesters sleep on a roadside in the occupied areas surrounding the government complex in Hong Kong, Oct. 6, 2014.
Pro-democracy protesters remained in a tense stalemate with the Hong Kong government late on Sunday after authorities warned they were determined to get the Asian financial hub back to work after more than a week of unrest.
