Monday, September 29, 2014 A3 OCCUPY CENTRAL SHOCK, THEN ANGER, AT POLICE TACTICS
Rights activist accuses force of ‘unprecedented’ action to quell protesters; officers say they had to stop acts that ‘endangered public safety’
...... acts which endangered public Staff Reporters safety and public order,” it said. But protesters were shocked. The decision by police to fire tear A 13-year-old boy said: “I was gas on the streets of Admiralty here for the past two days and I shocked protesters and was can’t believe police would resort condemned by Human Rights to tear gas. My eyes hurt so badly Monitor as “unprecedented”. and my lungs are burning ... Officers used the tear gas after police have used excessive force thousands of protesters stormed today.” onto Harcourt Road outside the Felix Tang, 25, who had been Tamar government headquar- protesting near Admiralty Cen- ters and caused gridlock. tre, said: “No one even guessed The demonstrators scattered the police would be so violent. but quickly regrouped to occupy We are unarmed, we only have the major road linking Central our hands.” and Wan Chai. His friend, Eric Lai, 27, who Police fired the first rounds of was not wearing goggles, said: tear gas shortly before 6pm, “Don’t let my look fool you – I am about 15 minutes after issuing a really scared.” warning for demonstrators to He wanted Hongkongers and stop charging police and leave those outside the city to see what peacefully. “Otherwise, police was happening. will use a high level of force in or- Alvin Lai, 23, a recent univer- der to restore public order and sity graduate, said he was safeguard public safety.” shocked at the force deployed by Anti-riot officers wearing hel- the police. mets and gas masks and carrying Law Yuk-kai, director of Enveloped by clouds of tear gas smoke, a protester strikes a defiant pose during yesterday’s stand-off near the government headquarters in Admiralty. Photo: K.Y. Cheng tear gas launchers were then Human Rights Monitor, said it called in. Displaying a banner was “an unprecedented devia- with the words “Warning – tear tion of normal police practices”. smoke” on one side and “Dis- He said the protesters were perse or we fire” on the side, they only exercising their basic hu- How Occupy leaders lost grip on protest man rights for a peaceful demon- stration. “The way the police cracked down on protesters was They lacked means to direct demonstrators, who were isolated by police ralty meant that protesters who Not long after, another crowd not proportionate,” he said. turned up in the afternoon could at Admiralty Centre, where police Earlier, at about 1.30pm, po- ...... not reach the core protest area. stopped people from getting on- No one even lice threw a cordon around the under [Occupy’s] control”. amplifiers, saying they were not Thousands of them, blocked to the footbridge to reach Tamar, Joyce Ng, Jeffie Lam government headquarters to sur- “Their actions were not organ- allowed at an unlawful assembly. by police, gathered near Fenwick also poured onto the road. guessed the and Gary Cheung round hundreds of demonstrat- ised by us,” Chan said. The lack of communication Pier Street and Performing Arts Ma Ngok, a political scientist police would be ors on the first day of the Occupy The crowds on those roads tools considerably weakened the Avenue, unable to see or hear the at Chinese University, said Occu- so violent. We Central movement. The early start of Occupy Central, were peaceful, he noted, and “it command of Occupy leaders. Occupy leaders. Democrat Lee py leaders “should not be Thousands of protesters then the geography of the protest site was the police who provoked The original venue of Occupy Wing-tat tried to control the blamed” for bringing forward are unarmed ... broke through the police lines and the overnight police rein- them with tear gas”. was believed to be Chater Road in scene in this area, but without a their campaign. “They were only and stormed onto Harcourt Road forcements meant it was difficult Another co-founder, the Rev- the heart of Central and near speaker he could only shout and riding on the developments of FELIX TANG, PROTESTER at about 4pm, about 12 hours for Occupy leaders to take full erend Chu Yiu-ming, conceded MTR stations. Tim Mei Avenue, tell people to sit on the road. the class boycott,” he said. after the Occupy movement command of the situation. that bringing forward the Occupy isolated by busy roads from inner The lack of command and the But he also noted that Occupy released the gas at close range kicked off in Tim Mei Avenue. After police used tear gas, Oc- date had affected the move- Admiralty and connected to the invisibility of Occupy leaders in had originally planned to start when surrounded by demon- Traffic came to a standstill as cupy leaders called on protesters ment’s operation. MTR only through footbridges, the Fenwick Pier Street area with a letter-of-no-objection strators at 6.50pm.They fired sev- demonstrators occupied the to retreat to Tamar Park, but “A lot of our equipment was proved to be an unfavourable proved crucial – dozens of young- from police on October 1. “Now, eral rounds of tear gas while westbound and eastbound lanes. some remained on the road. unable to be used, including the spot for a mass protest and was sters soon became impatient and without the letter, Occupy lead- marching to government head- At 7pm, New World First Bus Co-founder Chan Kin-man audio and portable toilets,” Chu easy for the police to blockade. broke through police cordons, ers put themselves in an unfav- quarters in Tim Mei Avenue. and City Bus said 77 bus routes said the crowds that stormed on- said. Their walkie-talkies had also Significant police reinforce- stormed Gloucester Road and ourable position, giving police an The confrontation between were temporarily suspended or to Harcourt Road and Con- not arrived. Police confiscated ments overnight and their clo- tried to get to Tim Mei Avenue to easy excuse to seal off the protest protesters and police continued diverted. naught Road Central were “not the audio equipment, including sure of access points from Admi- join the Occupy crowd. site and bar equipment”. at the junction of Harcourt Road About half an hour later, the and Tim Mei Avenue. Another MTR Corporation said trains on batch of protesters occupied a the Tsuen Wan line and Island section of Queensway outside lines would not stop at Admiralty. Transport the Lippo Centre in Admiralty. The service was cut for two hours. At 7.15pm, police issued a “It is totally unexpected. It’s all statement saying that protesters about our pursuit of democracy. fears and violently charged the police cor- Beijing now sees it; the world now don outside the government sees it; C.Y. Leung, do you see it?” strike call headquarters. “After police re- Occupy co-founder Benny Tai peated warnings and protesters Yiu-ting said as he greeted the refused to leave, police decided crowd of thousands. hit schools to escalate the use of force and Clifford Lo, Samuel Chan, Amy Nip, Chris Lau and Phila Siu tear gas was used to stop those ...... Shirley Zhao and Peter So Protest zone Some schools in Central and Central Western district might suspend Lung Wo Road classes today with principals rais- ing concerns about traffic 3 4 arrangements. Central The worries were doubled MTR station Harcourt Road when the Professional Teachers’ 2 Union, which has 90,000 mem- Government offices bers, called on all teachers and even principals to boycott classes 1 Admiralty 6 5 from today. MTR station 7 Dr Yip Wai-ming, principal of St Louis School in Sai Ying Pun, Queensway said the school might consider 100m suspending classes today, de- pending on whether police had cleared protest scenes in Admi- 1 - 4 Police throw cordon lines there at about 1.30pm ralty and Central. “Now the traffic is all jammed 5 A group of protesters storm onto Harcourt Road at 3.45pm up,” said Yip. “It may be a prob- lem for teachers and students to 6 Large crowd of protesters occupy Harcourt Road at 4.10pm go to school tomorrow.” 7 Another group storm onto Queensway at 4.45pm An Education Bureau spokes- man said parents should listen to Police start firing tear gas at 5.58pm in areas including Harcourt Road, the morning news for updates. Connaught Road Central near City Hall and Statue Square after Yip said the school would not protesters scatter stop teachers from joining the SCMP boycott and would not punish them. But he said these teachers must inform the school about their plans. Classical music gives way Albert Chung Chun-sing, sec- retary of the Federation of Parent-Teacher Associations in to brollies and barricades Southern district, said many ...... schools, especially secondary, They moved plastic barriers left might also be affected, as many Jeffie Lam, Stuart Lau, behind by the authorities to Tim students and teachers needed to Samuel Chan and Joyce Ng Mei Avenue and Lung Wui Road, cross districts to go to school. spending hours trying to fill them “Many parents are also wor- In the end, it wasn’t energy bars, with water. Some tied metal bar- ried if their children, especially bottles of water or protective gear riers together to block the road, senior ones, will join the protests that sustained protesters into the attaching open umbrellas to cre- without informing them, as the night – it was determination. ate a shield against pepper spray. situation has escalated to such an Although it started earlier There was an almost palpable extent,” Chung said. than expected, many protesters nervousness as rumours spread Tik Chi-yuen, chief executive came prepared with food, um- about police reinforcements and of the Hong Kong Institute of brellas and goggles. Two tents movements. There were many Family Education, urged the were set up, signposted “The false alarms, with protesters Education Bureau to suspend People’s Toilets”. rushing behind the barricades classes at kindergartens and pri- It was never intended to be before police finally moved in. mary and secondary schools to- violent. Chan Kin-man, one of Supporters brought supplies day because of possible traffic the organisers, had earlier talked for the protesters – even though disruptions. about live classical music perfor- they did not plan to join the civil Fung Wai-wah, president of mances to create a peaceful disobedience action themselves. the Professional Teachers’ atmosphere for the sit-in. Mo Cheuk-yin did not take Union, said the union started the But any thoughts of cellos and part yet he went to Tamar in the teachers’ strike campaign to ex- violins gave way to more practical afternoon, carrying a bag of cling press its anger towards the police needs: water bottles, metal barri- film, masks and ponchos to give use of “violence and weapons” to cades and umbrellas were what to the protesters. “Hongkongers disperse protesters. protesters grasped for as police should stay united,” said Mo, 38, “The police have made them- laid siege to the crowd. a designer. “The government has selves the enemy of the people,” In the morning, protesters set completely ignored the people. said Fung. “The PTU strongly up barricades at four locations to Now police are resorting to vio- condemns the crazy actions of keep advancing officers at bay. lence. The city looks so strange.” the government and police.” A4 Thursday, October 2, 2014 Thursday, October 2, 2014 A5 OCCUPY CENTRAL – DAY 4 OCCUPY CENTRAL – DAY 4 Few options left but to wait it out
After tear gas failed to dislodge the protesters, officials hope fatigue and public criticism will Signs of wear them down and force end to occupation friction as ...... only: “The sun rises as usual.” Gary Cheung, Amy Nip protest sites A Hong Kong government and Vivienne Chow source admitted there was little else the administration could do. extended Both the Beijing and Hong Kong “We can’t a ord to adopt a governments are pinning their high-handed approach to pro- ...... hopes on the pro-democracy testers again after the public out- Staff Reporters protests running out of steam cry sparked by the use of tear gas due to fatigue and complaints on Sunday,” the source said. from people inconvenienced by Meanwhile the prospects for The occupation of Tsim Sha Tsui the demonstrations. dialogue between the govern- late on Tuesday and the ag- Sources close to both govern- ment and protesters remain slim. raising ceremony a few hours ments gave an indication of their The Federation of Students later revealed splits in strategies thinking as uniformed police re- had o ered talks with Chief Sec- and frictions emerging among mained absent from a ected retary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet- the growing number of protest- areas such as Mong Kok and ngor – if Chief Executive Leung ers against Beijing’s political Causeway Bay. Few police have Chun-ying resigned rst. An au- reform framework. been seen near the protests since thoritative government source Metal barricades and a truck Monday, despite concerns about yesterday rejected the idea, but were used to block a section of public order and further polarisa- said the administration retained Canton Road in an apparently tion in the community. an open mind on the possibility spontaneous sit-in by a few hun- The softy-softly approach has of talks at “appropriate venues”. (Clockwise from left): Leung Chun-ying at the ceremony, and Paul Zimmerman’s yellow umbrella; the flag dred protesters in Tsim Sha Tsui been in place since riot police Lester Shum, the federation’s ceremony in Golden Bauhinia Square; a puppeteer, flags and a mock cinema, in Victoria Park; on Tuesday night. were withdrawn after the use of deputy secretary general, said Scholarism’s Joshua Wong (centre) in Golden Bauhinia Square. Photos: K.Y. Cheng, Jonathan Wong, Chris Lau Unlike the three other sit-in 87 rounds of tear gas overnight on talks with Lam or even Beijing sites – Admiralty, Causeway Bay Sunday failed to break up o cials were possible – if they and Mong Kok – no campaign faced protesters outside govern- leaders came to give lectures and ment headquarters. no marshals from the student “If Leung does not step down groups or the Occupy Central by today, we will escalate the pro- movement could be spotted. tests by spreading the Occupy The supply station – which movement to premises of other gave out face masks, umbrellas government departments,” and refreshments – was run by Shum said. non-student volunteers. But the authoritative govern- Lester Shum, deputy secre- ment source rejected the idea of tary general of the Federation of Leung going – even if he wanted Students, said they could not to. “The chief executive will not stop people extending the protest Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying resign, nor will the central gov- to more sites but would call on ernment allow him to step supporters to remain in the three down,” the source said. original areas. And, dismissing rumours of And Joshua Wong Chi-fung, discord at the top, the source said convenor of the student activist the government was “highly group Scholarism, said the sit-in [CY Leung] will united”, adding: “It is out of the in Tsim Sha Tsui had not been not resign, nor question that the chief secretary mobilised by them. adopts a softer stance while the “The turnout … has far ex- will the central chief executive is tougher.” ceeded our expectations. We government Meanwhile criticism of the have not got enough resources to protests from business leaders provide supplies to the [extra] allow him to grew yesterday, as the week-long site,” he added. national holiday began. At the National Day ag- GOVERNMENT SOURCE Michael Li Hon-shing, execu- raising ceremony in Wan Chai’s tive director of the Federation of Golden Bauhinia Square yester- demonstrations in Admiralty – Hotel Owners, accused the stu- day, protesters argued over the and indeed prompted new pro- dents of “making Hong Kong col- STREET TALK Protesters in Mong Kok form their own security most e ective tactics. test zones to emerge. lapse”. He said bookings at some ‘The sun rises as usual’: Beijing’s man ‘Marxist outlook’ Scholarism members, who Tsim Sha Tsui was the latest Wan Chai hotels had been can- ...... advocate peaceful protest, set up area a ected, with a few dozen celled, though the full impact had Lynn Butler, ther unexpected incursions. At tics rm, asked his sta to park protecting the students, so we metal barricades at the entrances ...... Stuart Lau, Ernest Kao protesters blocking a section of not yet been calculated. Chief Executive Leung Chun- with jeers from League of Social o cials arrived by ferry at the teacher, bringing around 2am on Tuesday, protest- their trucks on Argyle Street. should,” he said, referring to a to the square overnight to pre- Peter So and Chris Lau explains Beijing’s and Danny Mok Canton Road early yesterday, an “People started dumping eggs ying and one of his predecessors, Democrats lawmaker “Long convention centre ag-raising supplies to Mong ers had to scatter clear of a Merce- Around 20 trucks and private cars lack of police presence for two vent the ceremony being area full of luxury goods stores [on protesters] because they are Tung Chee-hwa, were tight- Hair” Leung Kwok-hung, who ceremony to avoid the crowds of Kok with her des-Benz, driven by Cheung Wai- had joined the “glorious mis- nights in a row. stormed by demonstrators. Be- popular with mainland tourists growing impatient,” he said, re- The sun may rise as usual, but lipped at the National Day ag- had ditched his trademark T- protesters. husband: “We just With no police around, protest- ming, 59, through a section of sion”, he said. Painted on his vehicles were fore dawn, about 20 protesters ar- arriving for National Day. ferring to incidents at the Cause- Occupy Central hasn’t felt any raising ceremony yesterday at shirts and was dressed in a suit. While more people seemed to want to tell all of you [students] finger-pointing ers in Mong Kok have created a Argyle Street near the junction “When I saw the use of tear gas such slogans as “You use a car to rived who appeared to favour a A mainland researcher famil- way Bay protest zone. warmth from Beijing. the Convention and Exhibition Chanting slogans, he called be pouring into the city’s central that many Westerners in Hong vigilante patrol, bee ng up secu- with Nathan Road. No one was on unarmed students in Admiral- crash, we use cars to shield”. more confrontational approach. Kong are proud and amazed ... iar with the central government’s Sta at the Fuk Fung Dispen- With city streets lled by de- Centre in Wan Chai. for Leung’s resignation and for district to take part in the civil dis- ...... rity around Nathan Road and Ar- injured. ty and learned that some protest- The roadblocks in Mong Kok A passionate debate with the thinking said the best scenario sary in the Mong Kok protest mocracy protests, Zhang Xiaom- In his opening remarks, universal su rage. Security sta obedience movement, a carnival We really want to express our “deeply concerned” about the gyle Street, a spillover of the main Cheung, who was later arrest- ers would be in Mong Kok, I de- and elsewhere could delay Scholarism members ensued as Kristine Kwok and Teddy Ng would be for protesters to gradu- zone said business was slow. ing ,director of the central Leung did not mention the mass escorted him o after about 30 organised by the Home A airs admiration and respect to this situation in Hong Kong. occupation site in Admiralty. ed on suspicion of dangerous cided to come,” Man said. “We emergency services, some fear. they argued that they had a right ally pull out, worn down by fa- “Of course [the protest] has af- government’s liaison o ce in protests or the Occupy move- seconds. Department as part of National movement for democracy. In University of Nottingham Protesters jumped into action driving, has been released on are worried about the safety of Police have urged protesters to to protest in a more radical way. tigue and complaints from peo- fected business,” one shop assis- Hong Kong, responded for the ment directly. District councillor Paul Zim- Day celebrations struggled to at- South Africa, where we are From the South China Sea to contemporary Chinese studies after a car buzzed through the bail. He told media that he was the schoolchildren.” remove them. About 30 Scholarism mem- ple fed up with the protests. tant said. “Rents are expensive rst time yesterday to a barrage of He called for “peaceful, law- merman, a former Civic Party tract visitors. from, and the UK where we used Tibet and Xinjiang , professor Steve Tsang said that crowd early Tuesday morning. exercising his citizen’s right to One of his employees said Early yesterday, protesters bers and radical protesters even- “Hongkongers should seri- here. We can’t pay rent or salaries media questions about the pro- ful, rational and pragmatic” member, brought a yellow um- The National Day Extrava- to live, protests of this scale the mainland is beset by prob- by claiming foreign interference, Trucks, vans and private cars use the road. they had no fear. “It is a righteous said they found a man trying to tually were allowed past security ously ponder the impact on peo- without business, right?” tests. He said with a slight smile: means in pushing forward uni- brella to the ceremony – a symbol ganza at Victoria Park occupied usually mean broken windows lems brought on by foreign inter- Beijing had made it di cult for were positioned to form barri- Man Ka-ho, who owns a logis- thing to do. The police are not remove some of their roadblocks. and into the ceremony. ple’s livelihoods and business Meanwhile Chinese Univer- “The sun rises as usual.” versal su rage. of the protest movement – as a si- four soccer pitches, but drew just and stores lit on fire. We were ference. Now Hong Kong has any other countries to lend sup- cades at entry points to the cross- In Causeway Bay, there has There, Scholarism members operations if the protests are pro- sity vice chancellor Professor Jo- Occupy Central co-founder And he reiterated that a popu- lent statement against the police a few hundred visitors. originally here just to make become part of the country’s vol- port to the Hong Kong demon- roads, while rubbish bins and bus also been a backlash against the turned their backs, forming a longed,” the researcher said. seph Sung Jao-yiu spoke of his Dr Chan Kin-man disagreed. lar vote, which would allow the force’s use of tear gas on the An attempt by the Civil Hu- money for retirement, but we atile frontier, experiencing tur- strators as any support could be stop poles were moved to the protesters. A 59-year-old woman cross with their arms signifying The response of Beijing’s top tears when he saw Sunday’s “To be honest, even if the sun city’s ve million eligible voters to crowds who gathered on Sunday. man Rights Front to hold a Na- are now deciding to stay for moil at the hands of meddling read as meddling. middle of both roads. was arrested yesterday for alleg- “no”, as the national and Hong man in Hong Kong, liaison o ce crackdown on protesters. has risen, we don’t feel the choose their next leader, would “C.Y. and the police commis- tional Day demonstration in the good. This is really an exciting foreign governments. “It’s a pre-emptive strike Adding to those barriers were edly throwing two pieces of Kong ags were raised and the chief Zhang Xiaoming , “I call upon all to refrain from warmth,” he said. be an improvement from the cur- sioner owe Hong Kong an apol- park was previously turned down period for Hong Kong.” So said mainland state media, making it very di cult for the seven double-decker buses left watermelon skin and a bag lled national anthem played. They added credence to the idea of a using force … I urge … dialogue “Dark clouds have been cov- rent electoral system, which al- ogy, nothing less than an apol- because the Leisure and Cultural as the city’s massive protest American and British govern- deserted in the initial hours of the with water from her at in Yee Wo left as the ags were hoisted. “wait-and-see” approach. Asked between the government and our ering us, particularly in the past lows only 1,200 members of the ogy, for what they have done,” Services Department said the movement for universal su rage ments,” Tsang said. protesters’ surprise takeover of Street, where thousands are stag- In contrast, the radical pro- about the impact of the protest at students,” Sung wrote to stu- two years since Leung was sworn election committee to vote. Zimmerman said. Home A airs Department sub- Elderly man entered its fourth day yesterday. Chinese foreign ministry o - the major tra c junction. ing a sit-in. The woman also al- testers yelled “Step down 689” a National Day reception, he said dents, sta and alumni. into o ce.” Leung’s remarks were greeted Earlier yesterday, guests and mitted the application rst. berating Academics say state views are cials also expressed concern over The blockades stretched legedly assaulted police o cers when Chief Executive Leung protesters and shaped by a Marxist outlook and foreign interference during along 1km of Nathan Road, be- during her arrest. Chun-ying entered the square. disrupting their history. Hong Kong has played a meetings with diplomats posted tween Mong Kok and Waterloo The incident happened a day Leung was elected leader of the sit-in in Tsim Sha critical role in earlier political to the city, several diplomats have roads. after three eggs and ve oranges city by getting 689 votes from the Tsui: “The unemployment rate movements on the mainland. said in recent months. On Mon- Volunteers have also stepped were thrown from the same 1,200-strong election committee. Luxury brands downbeat, tourists more divided is low, there is a social security Pointing ngers could make it day, Beijing underscored its up patrols to guard against any building. Three girls were hit by Emily Tsang, Jeffie Lam, Chris Lau, system, what else do you guys more di cult for foreign govern- point by sending an o cial letter police intrusion and prevent fur- Protesters in Mong Kok have barricaded the site. Photo: David Wong the oranges. Timmy Sung and Peter So want? Please consider the ...... ments to lend their support and to consulates in Hong Kong, the point of boarding the plane. interests of the Chinese easier for the mainland author- reminding diplomats and their Staff Reporters “[Hong Kong] news is blocked on government. How could it ities to de ect blame. sta not to join the protests. the mainland,” he said. “Some function if other cities on the David Zweig, a professor of Barriers removed for fire engines POLICE CHIEF IN BID TO BOOST MORALE The National Day “golden week” shops close at 7pm now. Many of mainland demanded universal political science at Hong Kong suffrage?” holiday began yesterday on a my friends have cancelled plans University of Science and Tech- ...... quiet note, with prospects of the to come to Hong Kong.” nology, said Beijing’s habit of ian corridors” where barriers The occupiers have agreed to Police chief Andy Tsang Wai-hung Shirley Zhao and Ernest Ng usual strong sales at prime shop- Shenzhen-based Bush Wang blaming domestic problems on could be removed quickly to give remove barriers on East Point has praised his frontline officers ping districts clouded by the said he had been lost for 45 min- Deledda Ma Yee- It’s a pre-emptive foreign governments could have access for emergency vehicles. Road on the east side of Sogo, but for their handling of the Occupy spreading Occupy Central civil utes trying to navigate the ki, 37, teacher, strike making it its roots in the administration’s Protesters in Causeway Bay But deputy chief re o cer have declined to open up Hen- Central protests on Sunday. disobedience operation. blocked roads to his hotel on Jor- collecting rubbish Marxist mentality. agreed to clear makeshift barriers Leung Wai-hung said it was “not nessy Road. In an address to the officers at The sluggish start was bad dan Road. Wang said he could with her husband very difficult “There is a strong viewpoint from a section of the rallying site as simple as a corridor” when it Police said a total of 4.2km of the central government offices in news for luxury retailers, coming understand why students were in Admiralty: “I for the [US] within Marxism that talks about outside the Sogo shopping mall came to putting out a re. roads on Hong Kong Island and Tamar yesterday, Tsang, dressed on top of falling sales this year protesting, but said their de- feel it’s not enough to just sit the external having an impact yesterday to allow re engines to Fire rescue work needed in Kowloon had been occupied in uniform, said: “There were due to anti-corruption policies mands for democracy clashed here. I want to contribute.” and [Britain] through the internal,” said Zweig, pass. enough ground-level space to set yesterday, compared with criticisms and invectives. But I on the mainland that put expen- with national policy. who studied Marxism in China. But Fire Services Department up apparatus such as ladders and 3.67km on Tuesday. would like to tell you, you have sive gifting under scrutiny. Meanwhile, hotels in Paci c ACADEMIC STEVE TSANG “There are internal contradic- negotiators failed to secure a sim- elevated platforms, he said. In Mong Kok, protesters yes- not done anything wrong.” Police chief Tsang Wai-hung At Tsim Sha Tsui, a new Occu- Place, including Conrad, Upper Tourist from tions everywhere, but these con- ilar agreement with occupiers of “In places where many people terday booed away police and re Loud applause could be heard (right) meets frontline officers. py sit-in formed late on Tuesday House, Shangri-La and JW Marri- Liaoning In a commentary published tradictions don’t have to turn streets in Mong Kok. No talks are gathering and a lot of stu is service o cers when they in an 11-second video clip leaked night. Brand-name stores had to ott, restricted car access and province who had on the eve of National Day, the into major problems until there have been held with demonstrat- placed on the ground, it’s not attempted to discuss towing to the media. close just as the holiday began, strongly suggested that guests been unaware of People’s Daily website compared are some external forces.” ors in Admiralty. easy to clear out a way quickly,” away a New World First Bus The participants were those Meanwhile, Hampshire-based joining shops in Admiralty, used the MTR. the protests the Hong Kong protests with col- Beijing might be sensitive The talks followed an o er by Leung said, calling for protesters (NWFB) vehicle stranded in the who had been deployed to Chemring, the British company Causeway Bay and Mong Kok Many luxury outlets in the prime shopping districts remained closed yesterday. Photos: K.Y. Cheng “There were a few [cancella- before arriving: “What’s going our revolutions in former Soviet about what happens in Hong protesters to set up “humanitar- to open up more roads. rallying area on Mong Kok Road. respond to the protesters on that supplies tear gas to the that had been hit since Sunday. tions],” a Conrad Hotel spokes- on here? Why are they here? I countries and the Arab Spring in Kong because of the role the city An NWFB spokesman said the Sunday, during which 87 rounds police, was reviewing its sales The agship stores of Coach woman said. “We have several think they just have nothing the Middle East, insisting that all has played in aiding opposition company was considering ways of tear gas were fired. policy, The Guardian newspaper and Dolce & Gabbana near Can- ers [by occupying the streets],” mainland’s tough anti-bribery way Bay], the situation is not as events at the hotel and they are better to do.” were instigated by the West. movements. to get the bus back. Also at the meeting were Chief reported. ton Road were among those that she said, voicing worries about policies began to be felt. In Au- bad as we thought.” still going on. It does not have a “Today they are repeating Deng Yuwen, a former editor O cers said the bus would Executive Leung Chun-ying, Chief British government officials were shuttered yesterday. when the sit-ins would end. gust, sales of jewellery, watches Ryan Ruan, 30, said his trip huge impact on our arrivals.” their tricks, and get very excited of the Study Times , a newspaper a ect emergency routes but a Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet- also made it clear they would And those that opened as “This upsets people who have and gifts decreased 6.1 per cent had not been a ected since he ar- Standard & Poor’s Ratings Caesar Chan, local when they see ‘moves’ in Hong a liated with the Central Party tow truck they sent in was forced ngor and Secretary for Security review their policy if asked to usual, hoping to target tourists, neutral political views.” year on year. rived on Sunday. “It is actually Services said retail sales would be student: “What Kong. Their dirty hands are School, said o cials sometimes to reverse and leave the scene. Lai Tung-kwok. Leung praised the approve future export licences for reported grimmer takings than in Most shops on Hennessy Tourists had divided views more comfortable as there are most immediately a ected. better place than reaching out through the cracks,” put the focus on foreign interfer- Occupy co-organiser Chan police for their hard work, while tear gas to Hong Kong. previous National Day holidays. Road were open, but not jewel- about the inconvenience posed fewer people on the streets.” But credit implications on here, what better read the commentary, which was ence to sidestep their own Kin-man said lighter barriers had Lam said she appreciated the However, British Foreign New Luen Fai Medicine at Jar- lery chains Chow Tai Fook, Chow by the democracy movement. The banker from Beijing property investment rms and time than now?” also carried on the Xinhua web- responsibility. been set up and could be officers faced difficulties and that Secretary Philip Hammond said it dine’s Bazzar, Causeway Bay, Sang Sang and TSL. Some, such as Qin Hong from It is more found out about the movement developers would be limited in site. “Can’t you see that British “By saying there are foreign removed in seconds. they were also “victims” of the was largely immaterial because made less than HK$100 in the Top-end retailers and cos- Guizhou province, said it comfortable on microblogging site Weibo. He the short term, the company said. and American diplomats are factors, o cials may be held less Ambulances were sum- political situation. the gas could be bought in many morning. The pharmacy raked in metic chains in Mong Kok were had little impact on their plans. supported Hongkongers be- “However, downside risks to already making irresponsible accountable for the problems moned 221 times yesterday and Police were criticised for using other places, including the United tens of thousands of dollars a day similarly shuttered. Qin, 23, said the wait at the Lo as there are cause “they should be able to our base-case rental and prop- remarks?” facing the government,” Deng on 26 occasions could not reach excessive force on Sunday. The States. during the holiday last year, the Chow Tai Fook closed at least Wu checkpoint was very short in fewer people speak their minds”. erty sales will increase if the situa- The White House on Monday said. “O cials may know the those who needed help within use of tear gas, in particular, The Campaign Against the shopkeeper said. 22 of its 87 outlets across the city, the morning. Her friend said: But Chen Hua, from Fujian tion deteriorates severely or per- urged the Hong Kong govern- other reasons behind the prob- the promised 12 minutes. fanned the anger of the people Arms Trade said Britain had sold “It is okay for students to ght a spokesman said. “Our Hong Kong friends advised on the streets , was unhappy that shop- sists for a prolonged period, thus ment to exercise restraint. British lem, but they will tell the public Fire engines were called 12 and encouraged more of them to HK$2.2 million worth of tear gas for democracy, but it is not right Retail sales started falling in us to stay away from Central. But ping had become inconvenient. shaking consumer and business Prime Minister David Cameron that foreign interference is to times with three unable to reach join the street protests. to the city in the past four years. to impose their opinions on oth- February, when the e ects of the from what we see here [in Cause- RYAN RUAN, TOURIST He knew about the protest only at con dence,” it stated. said on Tuesday that he was blame.” Officers tried but failed to tow away this bus. Photo: SCMP Pictures the scene within six minutes. A4 Monday, October 20, 2014 OCCUPY CENTRAL – DAY 22 Spinning out of control? Credit-card spending hit by protests, Tsang warns
Financial secretary says retail and catering industries in occupied areas are suffering
...... Joyce Ng [email protected]
Credit-card spending has plunged as major shopping areas are hit by Occupy protests, the financial secretary says. John Tsang Chun-wahdid not provide statistics, but said the government had started to col- lect data to assess the impact of Occupy on the economy. “Preliminary data shows that retail and catering industries in relevant districts have been hard hit,” Tsang wrote on his blog yesterday. “Overall credit-card spending has dropped considerably.” The impact would soon be re- flected in short- and medium- term economic data, Tsang said. While the financial market re- mained stable, Tsang said that Protesters man the barricades in Mong Kok early yesterday. There have been violent clashes in the area since police reclaimed part of the rally site on Friday. Photo: Sam Tsang some foreign investors were de- laying decisions before making investments in Hong Kong. Violent clashes between protesters and police have become a regular occurrence in Mong Kok Secretary for Food and Health “And seven of them sustained He urged protesters to leave Dr Ko Wing-man told the pro- injuries to their heads with blood the streets as soon as possible, ...... testers that violence was counter streaming down their faces. The saying they had already made Officers then used batons to police were hitting the protesters at police cordons, and said police productive. “I am very concerned police were hitting them with their voices heard. Phila Siu, Joyce Ng counter the protesters’ umbrel- on their heads and arms with “did not want to be embroiled in about the recent direction of [Oc- their batons. That was not mini- “The clashes in Mong Kok … and Timmy Sung las. At about the same time, po- their batons. But the protesters the political turmoil”. cupy], especially what seems to mum force as the police have can only make one believe that lice reinforcements arrived and were not doing anything,” said But the Federation of Stu- be evidence pointing to purpose- claimed,” Au said. some people want to destroy Concerns are growing that the rushed into the protest zone to the 26-year-old, who works at an dents’ deputy leader Lester Shum ful violence and attacks in Mong “Some of them refused to get public order just for the sake of it. Occupy movement in Mong Kok push the crowds back. elderly care centre. told the City Forum that protest- Kok,” Ko said. treated in hospital because they They are messing around in the has spun out of control and is on Images of protesters with Labour Party lawmaker Fer- ers were holding up their hands Dr Au Yiu-kai, medical head of feared they would get arrested. Occupy movement,” he said. the verge of turning into a riot, blood streaming down their faces nando Cheung Chiu-hung told a or umbrellas when their heads the Occupy Central movement, Hitting people with batons can A similar point was made by after nights of violent clashes were widely circulated on social talk show yesterday that he was were bloodied by police batons. said his team treated 13 protest- cause concussion and fracture Secretary for Labour and Welfare since police reclaimed part of the media. worried about the situation. “I “If you say this is a riot, it was ers during the latest clashes. the skull. It could be fatal.” Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, rally site on Friday. One protester said he saw have been to Mong Kok many only caused by police who used Police said four men aged 25 who said that shops and restau- New clashes erupted between plainclothes policemen hitting times, and it is on the verge of a force. Only [Chief Executive] to 37 were arrested during the rants in Mong Kok and Causeway protesters and police in Mong protesters after they moved into riot,” he said. “But it is very simple Leung Chun-ying is able to con- early hours of yesterday on suspi- Bay had complained to him that Kok early yesterday, just hours the protest zone. to handle the situation. The gov- trol the movement now,” he said. cion of assault, possession of of- they have had no customers at after Chief Secretary Carrie Lam “I saw anti-triad officers hit- ernment needs to respond to the Yvonne Leung Lai-kwok, an- fensive weapons and disorderly night. Cheng Yuet-ngor announced ting protesters with batons. Sev- public’s demands.” other spokeswoman for the fed- I have been conduct in a public place. “If the situation continues, we that talks with student leaders eral protesters suffered head Winnie Chiu Wai-yin, acting eration, also denied the move- to Mong Kok Police also said three protest- are worried because employers were scheduled for tomorrow. injuries and were bleeding. They director of the police force’s ment had spun out of control. ers and five police officers were might lay off casual staff,” Some protesters tried to re- also dismantled supply stations,” management services, said the She said that even when some many times, injured. Cheung said. “They won’t hire move barricades on the junction said the protester, who gave his Mong Kok protest zone was “very protesters wanted to storm the and it is on the Hospital Authority figures temporary workers and may also of Nathan Road and Argyle Street surname as Lo. dangerous”, with radical ele- roads, other protesters tried to showed that 20 people were in- ask employees to take outstand- shortly after midnight, prompt- Another protester blamed po- ments infiltrating the crowd. stop them. But before they had verge of a riot jured from 10pm on Saturday to ing leave.” ing officers to warn them against lice for the violence. On a radio programme, she the chance to do so, the police 6am yesterday due to the Occupy He also said the Occupy charging police cordons. “I was here last night and the called on people to stop charging had used pepper spray, she said. FERNANDO CHEUNG, LABOUR PARTY movement. protests had affected elderly and disabled people who needed to travel for regular medical appointments. BEATEN PROTESTER DEMANDS POLICE NAME OFFICERS Terence Chong Tai-leung, an Don’t incite others online, economics professor at Chinese University, agreed that Occupy The Civic Party protester allegedly beaten by police in allegations that urine and faeces were thrown. Vidler had affected retail businesses be- police warn protesters Admiralty last Wednesday will seek a judicial review if said he would seek a court order if police did not cause the protest sites were in the force fails to disclose the identifies of the officers disclose the identities of the officers allegedly areas frequented by tourists. involved by 10am today. involved today. He would also seek a court But Chong said Occupy was Force says more arrests could be made after first Central movement began on As he made a second report to Wan Chai police declaration that the treatment handed out to Tsang unlikely to affect the financial September 28. station yesterday, Ken Tsang Kin-chiu, a 39-year-old was “cruel, inhuman or degrading, if not torture”. market, as it was not dependent person is charged for posts on internet forum Stephen Hung Wan-shun, a social worker, said police had not taken any action A police spokeswoman said Tsang’s request was on a physical area. since he made a complaint before his release last being dealt with in accordance with “established ...... criminal lawyer and president of The upcoming Shanghai- that apply to the real world were the Law Society, said the charge week. “Despite having reported the serious crime... procedures”. Hong Kong Stock Connect Samuel Chan and Ernest Kao applicable to the internet and was more common than most the assailants have not been arrested or prosecuted,” Meanwhile, Chan Cho-kwong, chairman of the scheme would even boost trans- said that the force would make would think. He also said police Tsang’s lawyer, Michael Vidler, said. Junior Police Officers’ Association, actions, Chong said. Police say more arrests could be arrests if there was adequate would not have to prove whether Vidler said police had made an said his organisation had set up a According to the Immigration made of those who use the inter- evidence. anyone had actually acted after “excuse” for the non-disclosure by concern group with the Police Department, 1.09 million main- net to incite others to join the Hui did not reveal the exact reading the forum posting, but saying Tsang had not made a Inspectors’ Association to provide land tourists visited Hong Kong “unlawful” Occupy protests. wording of what was posted the suspect could argue the plau- formal complaint. financial aid, counselling or legal during the week-long holiday The warning came after a 23- online, but said the suspect “was sibility of incitement in court. Last week, TVB cameras filmed advice to any colleagues who from National Day on October 1. year-old man was arrested in Tin inciting others to join an unlawful “The number of readers of the several people – allegedly police needed help due to their recent This was 6.8 per cent higher than Shui Wai on Saturday for posting assembly in Mong Kok, to charge comment would dictate the officers – kicking and punching the heavy workload. the same period last year. messages on an online forum police cordons and to paralyse severity of the offence,” he said. unarmed Tsang in a dark corner in There were no plans to raise But the number of registered encouraging people to join an the railway”. Eric Cheung Tat-ming, a Admiralty’s Tamar Park during the funds for the seven officers package tours from the mainland unlawful assembly, charge at solicitor and principal lecturer at protest. Another clip showed Tsang involved in Tsang’s case yet, Chan had dropped by 20 to 30 per cent police and block railways, the University of Hong Kong law had poured liquid on officers before Ken Tsang outside the police said. since August, according to the The man was charged with faculty, said there was legal basis he was arrested. Vidler has denied headquarters in Wan Chai. Joyce Ng Travel Industry Council of Hong “access to computer with crimi- for such an arrest but it depended Kong. nal or dishonest intent” and on how clear the criminal intent unlawful assembly after he was The number of was. found to have joined the protests readers … would “If you say, ‘Let’s go and in Mong Kok on Friday, police attend a peaceful civil disobedi- said. dictate the ence movement’, then it’s harder Occupy wants self-rule: state media The suspect has been released severity of to prove there is criminal intent on bail and investigations are but if you say, ‘Let’s go charge at ...... ongoing. police’ then the criminal intent is other Occupy cam- ing to overturn an administration The US and Britain had the offence Keira Lu Huang At the daily press conference clearer,” Cheung said. “We must paigners, accusing that is in alignment with the cen- pushed the unrest to its current [email protected] yesterday, the police public rela- SOLICITOR ERIC CHEUNG note that this is all happening them of working with tral government [in Beijing].” level, challenging China’s na- tions bureau head, Chief Super- within the context of Occupy Taiwan’s pro-inde- State media also widely car- tional dignity and interest, it said. intendent Steve Hui Chun-tak , “These amount to incitement Central.” Occupy Central organisers were pendency activists to ried two commentaries on the State Councilor Yang Jiechi said more such arrests were pos- of a very serious nature, and He said it was difficult to say accused of plotting for an Jimmy Lai plan the Occupy issue, with the author listed as discussed the Hong Kong sible and that it was a “very seri- therefore we made the arrest,” whether it would set a precedent independent Hong Kong in a movement. “Guoping”, an apparent pen crisis when he met US Secretary ous criminal offence” to “incite said Hui. for further such arrests, but commentary published in state Professor Dong Likun, a se- name which translates as “na- of State John Kerry in Boston for others” to join the protests. This is understood to be the added it was possible that police media yesterday. nior research fellow at the Insti- tional peace” or “state’s view”. two days of talks. Hui reiterated that most laws first such arrest since the Occupy would now be monitoring the The article penned by “He Yi- tute of Hong Kong and Macau Af- One said the movement was A senior US State Department internet more strictly. “The legal min”, in Communist Party fairs, a think tank under the State ultimately a violent protest, and official said Yang and Kerry had weighing of what you say online mouthpiece the People’s Daily, Council’s Development Re- the second reasserted Beijing’s engaged in a “non-combative” and what you say in real life is said the demonstrators’ slogan of search Centre, echoed the com- claim that foreign powers were yet “direct and candid” exchange pretty much the same,” he said. “our fate should be decided by mentary. Dong said the city’s op- working behind the scenes. over a range of issues, including In a similar case, a man was us” revealed the true intentions position politicians were pro- Hong Kong. arrested in 2010 for posting a of the action’s “organisers and Washington or pro-London, and Foreign Ministry spokesman message on an online forum controllers”. if any of their members were Qin Gang said Yang had asked about bombing the central gov- “What they want is not elec- given executive power, they the US to refrain from supporting ernment’s liaison office. His case toral democracy or the would lead Hong Kong away Occupy Central, Xinhua said. reached the top court in March, ‘high-degree of autonomy’ under from the mainland, which could They want Hong “We are resolutely opposed to but was quashed by judges. ‘one country [two systems]’, be viewed as pursuing indepen- Kong ‘to act on all kinds of illegal activities that The judges said the man had rather, they want Hong Kong ‘to dence. undermine Hong Kong’s rule of sent his message on the web as a act on her own’, have ‘self-deter- “To topple the present Hong her own’ … and law and social order and firmly “medium”. But the charge laid on mination’ and to even be ‘inde- Kong SAR administration is not to even be support the SAR government in him – outraging public decency – pendent’,” it said. simply about removing Leung handling these in accordance required the act to be done in a The commentary mentioned Chun-ying,” Dong said, referring ‘independent’ with the law so as to safeguard A 23-year-old man was arrested for an online post that encouraged “physical, tangible place”, which the chairman of Next Media, Jim- to the chief executive. “It is about Hong Kong’s social stability,” people to charge police during Occupy protests. Photo: Sam Tsang did not encompass cyberspace. my Lai Chee-ying, and several the Occupy movement attempt- PEOPLE’S DAILY COMMENTARY Yang was quoted as saying. A12 Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Tourists focus on Hong Kong from a Peak vantage point. Photo: Edward Wong International Commerce Centre peeks out from storm clouds. Photo: Felix Wong
The Bird’s Nest and Water Cube in double exposure in Beijing. Photo: Simon Song
Our photographers were asked to
S come up with their favourite shots of the past 12 months
G – a year that has A security guard and police protect the government headquarters. Photo: May Tse seen the Occupy A giant protest umbrella is laid out in Causeway Bay. Photo: Martin Chan Central movement, U sporting events galore, foul weather and a B continuing in ux of tourists, and in Beijing the Asia- R Paci c Economic A vessel is grounded off Butterfly Beach in Tuen Mun. Photo: Dickson Lee Cooperation Taking part in a Valentine’s Day display at Times Square. Photo: Sam Tsang (Apec) summit. E Our snappers take thousands of photos every year T and only a few make it to the pages of the newspaper. They have chosen
An elderly woman is oblivious to passing marathon runners. Photo: David Wong these as their A mountain biker tests the trails on Tai Mo Shan. Photo: Jonathan Wong favourites, though not necessarily the most newsworthy or indeed those published. This page is
SHU T dedicated to them.
A pedestrian crosses a Causeway Bay road in heavy rain. Photo: Bruce Yan A couple walk across flooded Leighton Road in Causeway Bay. Photo: Edmond So
A lone protester stands defiant amid tear gas in Admiralty. Photo: K. Y. Cheng An Occupy banner and a student with an umbrella on Lion Rock. Photo: Robert Ng A boy holds a candle at the June 4 vigil in Victoria Park. Photo: Nora Tam
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