Hong Kong protests: 20 injured after second night of clashes

Twenty injured in another night of violence, threatening to undermine efforts for talks between students and government

Hong Kong police and pro-democracy protesters have clashed for the second night in the gentrifying neighbourhood of Mong Kok, threatening to undermine a day of efforts by students and government officials to defuse tensions as the unprecedented demonstrations stretch into their third week.

The government said 20 people were injured in clashes which began around midnight on Saturday when riot police launched a baton charge at a large crowd on Nathan Road, one of the area’s main thoroughfares; the protesters retreated about 50m but then quickly regrouped donning goggles, masks and construction helmets. Many held umbrellas to protect themselves from pepper spray.

Hong Kong Crackdown Draws Ire as Video of Beating Sparks Outrage

Skirmishes With Police Signal Shift in Tone of Hong Kong’s Democracy Protests

Hong Kong police pepper sprayed pro-democracy protesters in the early hours of Thursday after a group of them tried to cut off one of the city’s main roads.

HONG KONG—Scuffles again broke out between student protesters and police on Thursday, leading to the arrest of two demonstrators. The agitation comes a day aftera video that appeared to show police beating a protester drew outrage but offered a chance to inject fresh momentum into the flagging movement.

Hong Kong Government, Students Battle for Public Opinion

Frustration Grows as Neither Side Appears to Be Pushing to End Standoff

From truck drivers to newsstand owners to travelers staying in posh hotels, people in Hong Kong are struggling with the inconveniences caused by student protesters blocking roads across the city.

The Hong Kong government is banking on this discontent to turn public opinion against protesters and help get them off the streets. Students are fighting back, spending their money to support shops near the protest sites and distributing leaflets saying, “Why we are disturbing you.”

Hong Kong protest: Thousands on streets for fresh rally

Thousands of people are demonstrating in Hong Kong’s financial district after protest leaders called for a show of strength.

It comes after the territory’s deputy leader called off talks with student leaders scheduled for Friday.

Carrie Lam said the students’ refusal to end their protest had made “constructive dialogue” impossible.

Hong Kong protests: Premier Li stresses social stability

China’s Premier Li Keqiang says he is sure social stability can be maintained in Hong Kong, as pro-democracy protests in the region entered a third week.

Mr Li made his comments during his trip to Germany, where he and Chancellor Angela Merkel signed trade agreements.

Thousands of protesters, demanding fully democratic elections, have paralysed parts of Hong Kong.

In a Reversal, Hong Kong Scraps Talks With Protesters

HONG KONG — The standoff between Hong Kong’s government and pro-democracy protesters intensified Thursday as the democrats demanded that the city’s top official be impeached over a multimillion-dollar payment from an Australian company and the government pulled out of talks with the protesters.

The talks, which were to have begun Friday, were the only active avenue for resolving a dispute that has led to sit-in demonstrations that have closed roads and disrupted life for nearly two weeks in Asia’s most important financial center.

The cancellation of the talks came after an afternoon news conference by the protest groups and their political allies in which they pledged to continue the protests and start a new phase of civil disobedience to maintain pressure on the government.

Hong Kong government calls off student talks

Hong Kong’s government has called off a meeting on Friday with student leaders of the pro-democracy movement.

Chief Secretary Carrie Lam said it would be “impossible to have a constructive dialogue” after protest leaders called for an increase in efforts to occupy main protest areas.

The protesters want a fully free vote in elections due to be held in 2017 for the post of chief executive.

Hong Kong Cancels Talks With Students

Hong Kong Chief Secretary Says ‘Foundation for Talks’ Shaken

By JASON CHOW And CHESTER YUNG

HONG KONG—This city’s government scrapped negotiations with students a day before they were scheduled to take place, a sign the administration is taking a harder line with the protesters, whose numbers have dwindled in the nearly two-week standoff.

The government’s unilateral decision Thursday appeared to double-down on its strategy of letting the protesters continue their sit-ins until they wore out or public opinion turned against them. The move puts pressure on the students to justify their occupation, which has choked traffic and dealt a blow to local businesses.

Hong Kong protests: Sharp divisions ahead of talks

By Juliana LiuHong Kong correspondent, BBC News

Hong Kong’s government and student leaders at the forefront of ongoing pro-democracy demonstrations have agreed to sit down for landmark negotiations on Friday, but the two sides appear to be sharply divided.

Two weeks into the mass sit-in, the crowds have dwindled to just hundreds in Admiralty, Causeway Bay and Mong Kok, prompting questions over whether student activists have lost bargaining power.

Hong Kong Protest Groups Show Strains Ahead of Talks

Students and Government Officials Remain Far Apart Two Days Before Formal Talks

HONG KONG—Students and government officials in Hong Kong sniped at one another on Wednesday, a day after agreeing to formal talks, as strains showed among protest groups that have paralyzed parts of the city for 11 days.

With formal negotiations set to begin on Friday, the two sides are far apart, with students demanding changes that the government has said are impossible to agree to. Even if there was a deal to end the protests, some of the protesters say they would reject it, showing the difficulty faced by both sides in reaching an agreement.

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