Update: Police Use Tear Gas and Rubber Bullets in Hong Kong Protests Over Democracy

[DonLever]

From Wall Street Journal:

China's government ruled that candidates for the Hong Kong's top leadership post must be approved by a committee heavily loyal to Beijing, providing a clear demarcation of how far it will allow democracy to proceed in the territory.

The decree capped months of blunt reminders from Beijing of who is in charge in the former British colony, and quickly drew ire from pro-democracy voices in Hong Kong, who have threatened a mass civil-disobedience campaign if they aren't offered "genuine choice" in 2017 elections.

Pro-democracy leaders in Hong Kong suffered a setback in their battle for universal suffrage. The WSJ's Deborah Kan explains Beijing's reluctance to give Hong Kong full democracy.

"Hong Kong people have the reason to believe they have been betrayed," said Alan Leong, a Hong Kong pro-democracy legislator. "We cannot be the boss, we cannot have genuine choice," he said.

Another lawmaker, Lee Cheuk Yan, said the fight for "true democracy" would continue.

Democracy activists in Hong Kong gathered Sunday evening outside the city's government headquarters, where police beefed up security and erected barricades. In pouring rain, hundreds of people sat banging pots and plastic containers and cheered the speakers.

Benny Tai, one of the organizers of Occupy Central, said, "Hong Kong is now entering a new era—a new era of resistance."

Several in the crowd said they weren't surprised by the decision. "I knew it wasn't possible for Beijing to grant Hong Kong democracy but I still have to fight," said 80-year-old Ng Hung. "I am here for the next generation."

Co-founder of the Occupy Central movement Benny Tai, right, rallies with pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong Sunday. Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's largely ceremonial parliament, said future chief-executive candidates will be nominated by a "broadly representative" committee.

Candidates will need to secure support from at least 50% of members on a nominating committee, and their numbers will be capped in any given race at two or three candidates. Currently, the chief executive is appointed by the central government via a 1,200-member committee heavy on Beijing backers as well as business leaders. Candidates have until now needed to get support from just one-eighth of the panel, which in 2012 allowed a pro-democracy legislator to run as one of three candidates.

"Since the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and the sovereignty, security and development interests of the country are at stake, there is a need to proceed in a prudent and steady manner," Beijing said its ruling Sunday.

The electoral-reform plan must secure the backing of Hong Kong's legislative council to proceed. With just over a third of 70 seats, Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmakers have veto power over the decision.

Mainland officials had lobbied heavily to sway pro-democracy voices to support the plan even without the direct-nomination provision.

China's government has for years been contending with a democracy campaign in Hong Kong, a major international financial center. It has counted on support from Hong Kong's business elites and what local media have sometimes called a silent majority of locals more interested in steadily rising living standards than politics.

Democracy advocates, however, say Beijing has been infringing on the autonomy it guaranteed the territory under the "one country, two systems" policy and have decried growing inequality and rising prices. They say universal suffrage—a one-person-one-vote system—would make the local government more responsive to the public.

Sunday's announcement, the details of which had been well-telegraphed by Chinese officials in recent weeks, came in response to a report previously submitted by Hong Kong's government on electoral reform. Beijing had called universal suffrage the "ultimate aim" for Hong Kong as it took control of the territory in a 1997 handover from Britain.

Nevertheless, for large swaths of Hong Kong society, economic concerns trump political considerations and Hong Kong residents are divided on the issue of street protests. According to a May survey by the University of Hong Kong, 56% of respondents said they were opposed to the Occupy Central movement, with 24% of respondents saying they approved of it.

Wong Shun-kwong, a 50 year-old chef, said he is more concerned about property prices, his job and retirement fund than about political freedom.

"With or without Occupy Central, my life is still the same, and the same goes for many people in Hong Kong," he said. "I think Beijing has already been very tolerant to people in Hong Kong, in a way that you can't find elsewhere in China."

Mr. Wong like others in the middle of the political spectrum hadn't demanded or expected Beijing to allow direct nomination for the top leader—an unusual system in any democracy—but some have expressed disappointment that any candidate will now need at least 50% support from a nominating committee heavy on pro-Beijing members.

South China Morning Post columnist Alex Lo, who has often argued for a conciliatory approach to Beijing and says that the Occupy Central movement risks doing more harm than good for Hong Kong, wrote that "moderates" in Hong Kong had hoped that the nominating committee would become "more representative and democratically legitimate."

He wrote in a column published Friday ahead of the expected decision, "The harsher-than-expected framework for the chief executive's election is, in a sense, worse than the current system."

Police officers patrol in Hong Kong where protesters are expected to gather Sunday after China's government declared that election candidates for Hong Kong's top post must be prescreened. Getty Images

Beijing has made it clear that it believes pro-democracy activists are a minority and that most Hong Kong residents will ultimately be contented with democratic progress of some form, however limited.

"It is a legal, fair and reasonable decision. It is a dignified decision," said Li Fei, deputy secretary-general of the NPC's standing committee on Sunday.

A minority of people in Hong Kong have "misled public opinion and disturbed society," Mr. Li said. He asked the people of Hong Kong to "Lay down your prejudices and grasp political courage and wisdom."

—Olivia Geng and Te-Ping Chen in Beijing contributed to this article.

[DonLever]

The stage has been set for major pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong's financial district following a decision by Beijing to restrict voting reforms in the city of seven million.

The ruling, announced Sunday by the National People's Congress Standing Committee, will limit candidates for the city's highest office to two or three nominees who must "love the country, and love Hong Kong."

The decision largely ignored the demands of pro-democracy groups that have staged several sizable protests in recent months calling for free and direct elections in the former British colony.

Factions of the pro-democracy movement now say they will stage mass civil disobedience actions across the city and target the financial district that is one of Asia's key business hubs.

The activists accuse China of reneging on its "one country, two systems" pledge that was a condition of Hong Kong's return in 1997.

The most visible pro-democracy group -- Occupy Central With Love and Peace -- has pledged to snarl traffic and disrupt operations in the business district. On Sunday, thousands of protesters attended a demonstration organized by the group outside the city's government offices.

[DefCon1]

I liked Hong Kong better when it was a the British colony.

[Dral]

I wonder what the UK's response to this will be as they didn't actually have to give up the Island in 97 (only the main land) but did so if the Chinese promised not to change anything for 50 yrs

[drummer4now]

I wonder what the UK's response to this will be as they didn't actually have to give up the Island in 97 (only the main land) but did so if the Chinese promised not to change anything for 50 yrs

I'm sure they could get away with this one...

[Dral]

I'm sure they could get away with this one...

considering the strong economy in Hong Kong, one could argue, is due in large part because of the politics of the British rule, and changing it could have serious ramifications, you'd like to THINK that the Chinese government has a lot of incentive not to change anything....

[DonLever]

considering the strong economy in Hong Kong, one could argue, is due in large part because of the politics of the British rule, and changing it could have serious ramifications, you'd like to THINK that the Chinese government has a lot of incentive not to change anything....

You have to remember under British Rule, there was no democracy. The Govenor was appointed by Britain. So in reality nothing has changed but now the people want democracy? Why did they not press for democracy under British rule? They live under authoritarian then as now.

[key2thecup]

You have to remember under British Rule, there was no democracy. The Govenor was appointed by Britain. So in reality nothing has changed but now the people want democracy? Why did they not press for democracy under British rule? They live under authoritarian then as now.

Well our Governor General appointed by the Queen shot down the no confidence vote against Harper multiple times, so how free are we?

[key2thecup]

China 'has breached terms of Hong Kong handover' China has breached an agreement set when Hong Kong was handed back, but there is little the UK can do about it, says head of foreign affairs committee

A pro-democracy activist is detained by the police during a confrontation outside the the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Wan Chai, Hong Kong Photo: Reuters

Britain is helpless to stop China from backtracking on promises of free elections in Hong Kong, the head of the foreign affairs committee has said, as activists in the city seemed to lose steam in their battle for democracy.

Sir Richard Ottaway spoke after Beijing set out surprisingly conservative terms for the election of Hong Kong's leader in 2017.

While Hong Kongers will each get a vote, the nomination of candidates will be controlled by a 1,200-strong election committee filled by pro-Beijing figures.

Pro-democracy lawmakers hold up a banner and signs during a protest in Hong Kong (Reuters)

The agreement struck by the UK and Hong Kong during the handover in 1997 "did call for universal suffrage in the election of the chief executive," said Sir Richard.

"And if you have a committee that is not neutral and is nominating a limited number of candidates, there seems to be a prima facie case that the undertakings given have been breached," he told the BBC.

Sir Richard is leading a parliamentary inquiry into Hong Kong's electoral reforms – to the irritation of Beijing, which has lambasted the process as "interference" in its domestic politics.

He admitted that Britain is in a "fairly weak position" to punish China with sanctions.

"Indeed, we were in a very weak position right from the beginning when this declaration was signed," he said.

While activists in Hong Kong initially promised an "era of civil disobedience" in response to Beijing's edict, it has not taken long for the wind to ebb from their sails.

On Tuesday, both of the leaders of the main Hong Kong protest movement, Occupy Central, which had previously promised to bring Asia's most important financial centre to a standstill, gave interviews suggesting the movement had ground to a halt.

Chan Kin-man told the Wall Street Journal that public support for Occupy Central is already weakening and that "many people in Hong Kong are being pragmatic". He added that he only expected a few thousand people to join a sit-in.

Benny Tai said Occupy Central would now choose a date which would not inconvenience the city's bankers and lawyers.

When business executives "know the details of when we will organise this event, they will know we have no intention to damage the economy of Hong Kong," he told Bloomberg.

"Even though I cannot mention the date, but if you look at the calendar, you would know which date would cause the minimal damage to Hong Kong's economy," he added.

Hong Kong has public holidays on September 9, and October 1 and 2.

Mr Tai added that he did not expect the movement would be able to change the "political reality" of China's ruling.

Nevertheless, eleven Hong Kong universities have promised to boycott classes for a week in mid-September and a group called Civic Passion, which staged a picket outside the hotel of the Beijing delegation and saw 19 members arrested, promised further action.

Beijing has marshalled considerable energy to defuse the democracy movement and intimidate its leaders.

It also emerged that the Hong Kong Economic Journal, a well-respected newspaper, has axed a weekly column by Edward Chin, a hedge fund manager who helped organise the Occupy movement.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/hongkong/11069949/China-has-breached-terms-of-Hong-Kong-handover.html

[Ghostsof1915]

[Offensive Threat]

Did anybody really believe the Chinese gov. would just leave things alone? That they would honor their agreements?

What this all proves is what we knew all along. The Chinese cannot be trusted to uphold any agreement of any kind and they do it completely out in the open because they know nobody can stop them. Their trade agreements are unfair and protectionist. They steal intellectual property openly. Their economy is based around a controlled currency that they artificially devalue regularly.

And for all their "wealth" the average gross salary is $657 US per month. The nation is wealthy, the people are poor.

Edit: The World bank has a list called "Ease of doing business with" that ranks every country in the world every year based on how open they are to fair trade, dealing with permits, getting credit etc. etc. . Hong Kong is number 2. China is number 96. And China has been getting worse every year. The more control China exerts over Hong Kong expect to see their number go from 2 on down fairly quickly.

[MoneypuckOverlord]

I've been to Hong Kong Many times since the Take over... and Hong Kong is literally it's own country, although it's considered Part of China. It's pretty much the same it was before, with exception of the Hong Kong Flags, and More China' flags flying around, a small Chinese Garrison over there, it is in Hong Kong's absolute best interest that China does not control who the candidates are, other wise, it's going to suck for Hong Kong. I feel sorry for Hong Kongers...... I hope Beijing can open their eyes,and stop trying to turn Hong Kong into a "Chinese" City.

[Kakanucks]

I've been to Hong Kong Many times since the Take over... and Hong Kong is literally it's own country, although it's considered Part of China. It's pretty much the same it was before, with exception of the Hong Kong Flags, and More China' flags flying around, a small Chinese Garrison over there, it is in Hong Kong's absolute best interest that China does not control who the candidates are, other wise, it's going to suck for Hong Kong. I feel sorry for Hong Kongers...... I hope Beijing can open their eyes,and stop trying to turn Hong Kong into a "Chinese" City.

Its not really the same as before....Hong Kong is slowly being taken over by mainland Chinese people....they've been going to Hong Kong to give birth, their children is taking up classroom spots, their spending sprees are causing small stores to close down due to ridiculous store space lease rates, the streets are now full of pharmacies and jewellery stores. If you think Vancouver's housing price is crazy....you should see Hong Kong's. Hong Kongers are slowly being pushed out, and the government is not doing anything to help. There were cases where mainland Chinese ppl were peeing/pooing on the streets in public, HK government told HK ppl to be tolerant.

Even the so called pro China Anti-Occupy Central protestors, a majority of them went because they get paid and free meal. Some interviewed had absolutely no clue what they were protesting against.

Many of my family and friends are living in Hong Kong, and they absolutely hate what is happening there.

[Kakanucks]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/hong-kong-student-protest-ends-with-dozens-of-arrests-1.2779853

Riot police in Hong Kong on Saturday arrested dozens of students who stormed the government headquarters compound during a night of scuffles to protest China's refusal to allow genuine democratic reforms in the semi-autonomous city.

Hundreds of other protesters, however, showed no sign of leaving the area next to a courtyard in the government complex that the students had entered, and chanted at police to release their colleagues.

The standoff between pro-democracy protesters and authorities looked set to drag on into a second night as a steady stream of supporters arrived at the demonstration zone throughout the day.

The dispersal followed a night of scuffles between police and about 150 protesters who forced their way into the government compound, some scaling a tall fence. Police on Friday night responded with pepper spray to push them back, but about 50 had remained inside the gated premises by early Saturday afternoon, when police moved in to clear them out.

At least 29 people have been injured and 61 arrested since Friday night, police said.

Protesters donned rudimentary solutions for dealing with police anti-riot tactics, including protecting their eyes from pepper spray. (Bobby Yip/Reuters)

Hong Kong Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok told reporters that police acted appropriately and gave students sufficient warning before starting the process of clearing the square.

The scuffles came at the end of a weeklong strike by students demanding China's Communist leaders organize democratic elections in 2017. Thousands of university and college students who had spent the week boycotting classes were joined Friday by a smaller group of high school students.

Tensions over Hong Kong's political future have risen significantly since control of the former British colony passed to China in 1997.

China's leaders have promised universal suffrage for the city, but last month ruled out letting the public nominate candidates, instead insisting they be screened by a committee of Beijing loyalists.

Hong Kong's young people have become vocal supporters of full democracy in recent years, fuelled by anger over widening inequality and Beijing's tightening grip on the city.

"We really want real democracy, so we'll stay here and fight to get what we want," said Jo Tai, a 28-year-old teacher. "We don't want everyone else to decide our future; we want the right to decide our future for this generation and the next generation." She and others said they were prepared to be arrested.

Police used pepper spray and detained protesters after more than 100 people stormed Hong Kong's legislative building during pro-democracy protests. (Vincent Yu/Reuters)

Protesters chanted slogans such as "Fight to the end" and "Free the protesters" and carried placards calling for civil disobedience. Volunteers passed out donated goggles and umbrellas to protect against police pepper spray, while others used plastic wrap and surgical masks for protection. Supporters dropped off bottles of water and energy drinks, bread, chocolate, biscuits and other provisions.

Organizers said those arrested at government headquarters included Joshua Wong, a 17-year-old leader of the activist group Scholarism, who was dragged away by four officers. Wong, a recent high school graduate, gained prominence two years ago after he organized protests that forced Hong Kong's government to back off plans to introduce a Chinese national education curriculum that some feared was a form of brainwashing.

"Our movement is peaceful and does not use aggression," said University of Hong Kong students' union president Yvonne Leung. "Students who decided to storm inside [the government complex] knew about their legal responsibility."

The student protest was organized independently of Occupy Central, an alliance of pro-democracy activists planning to blockade Hong Kong's financial district to call for genuine democratic reforms.

On Saturday, several Occupy Central members joined students protesting outside the square.

Benny Tai, a key leader of the Occupy Central movement, told reporters that the group would "stay with the students until the end and risk getting arrested ourselves." Tai criticized the amount of force police used on students.

Occupy Central has hinted that its blockade will begin Wednesday, China's National Day holiday.

[DonLever]

HONG KONG -- Hong Kong activists kicked off a long-threatened mass civil disobedience protest early Sunday to challenge Beijing over restrictions on voting reforms, a surprise move that further escalates the battle for democracy in the former British colony after police arrested dozens of student demonstrators.

Organizers of "Occupy Central with Love and Peace" said they were starting their protest by continuing the "current occupation" of the streets outside government headquarters begun earlier by a separate group of student demonstrators that drew tens of thousands of people at its peak around midnight Saturday.

The Occupy Central movement had originally planned a mass sit-in to paralyze the Asian financial hub's central business district on Wednesday, but organizers moved up the start of their protest and changed the location in an apparent bid to harness momentum from the student rally outside the government complex in the southern Chinese city.

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Photos

Protesting students climb on top of electrical boxes as they occupy main streets in Hong Kong, China, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014. (AP/Wally Santana)

Students wrapping themselves in plastic to shield from pepper spray while occupying streets around government headquarters in Hong Kong, China, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014. (AP/Wally Santana)

Thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators gather at Hong Kong's government headquarters Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, braced for a second night of confrontations with authorities. (AP/Apple Daily)

Protesters wear masks and goggles gather outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014. Thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators at Hong Kong government headquarters braced for a second night of confrontations with authorities Saturday after police arrested dozens during a chaotic protest against Beijing's refusal to allow genuine democratic reforms in the semiautonomous city. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

A massive crowd turned out to support the student protesters who had stormed into a courtyard in the government complex late Friday, scuffling with police officers wielding pepper spray. Police arrested at least 74 people, including some in their teens. However, momentum seemed to fade after Occupy Central's announcement, with many young people leaving the scene. Others appeared determined to remain in place until police officers move in to clear them out.

More than 1,000 exhausted and weary protesters -- most of them students -- remained at the scene hours after Occupy Central's announcement. Many of them slept as hundreds of police officers watched over the scene. The protesters had arranged metal crowd-control barricades originally brought in by authorities to defend their position, placing them around the protest zone. They donned goggles and plastic wrap to protect against pepper spray.

Democracy supporters are demanding that China's Communist leaders allow fully democratic elections in 2017.

China, which took control of the former British colony in 1997, has promised that Hong Kong's top leader can be chosen through universal suffrage. But tensions over Hong Kong's political future boiled over after China's legislature last month ruled out letting the public nominate candidates, instead insisting they be screened by a committee of Beijing loyalists similar to the one that currently picks the city's leader.

Hong Kong's young people have been among the most vocal supporters of full democracy in recent years, fueled by anger over widening inequality. They also fear that Beijing's tightening grip is eroding the city's rule of law and guaranteed civil liberties unseen on the mainland such as freedom of speech.

Organizers of Occupy Central, a non-violent protest movement, said they want Beijing to abandon its decision and the Hong Kong government to resume political reform consultations

"The courage of the students and members of the public in their spontaneous decision to stay has touched many Hong Kong people," the group said in a statement. "Yet, the government has remained unmoved. As the wheel of time has reached this point, we have decided to arise and act."

The student protest at the government headquarters followed a weeklong strike by thousands of students demanding China's Communist leaders allow Hong Kong fully democratic elections in 2017. University and college students who had spent the week boycotting classes were joined Friday by a smaller group of high school students.

Organizers estimated that 50,000 people had flooded the streets around the government complex at the peak of the protest. Police did not give an estimate.

At least 34 people have been injured since the protest began, including four police officers and 11 government staff and guards, authorities said. One of the officers suffered a gash after being poked by one of the umbrellas the protesters have been using to deflect pepper spray.

Police issued a news release urging the protesters to leave peacefully and avoid obstructing officers, saying that otherwise they would "soon take actions to restore public order."

Many young protesters appeared conflicted that their protest was morphing into Occupy Central.

"A lot of students left as soon as Occupy made the announcement they were starting their occupation," said 24-year-old Vito Leung, a recent university graduate.

"I think they were really forcing it. This was always a separate student movement with similar goals but different directions. I don't think it should be brought together like this," said Leung, who was vowing to stay until police released Joshua Wong, the 17-year-old leader of the activist group Scholarism.

Wong was among the first of the protesters to be arrested after storming the government complex, and was carried away by four officers. A recent high school graduate, he gained prominence two years ago after he organized protests that forced Hong Kong's government to back off plans to introduce a Chinese national education curriculum that some feared was a form of brainwashing.

Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/hong-kong-pro-democracy-leaders-kick-off-occupy-central-protest-1.2027722#ixzz3EZFBYqRR

[Lancaster]

Don't hear much about it on main stream news sites. Probably the Chinese government applying pressure to tone it down.

I hope the people protesting keeps this up until democratic change occurs. One thing is for sure, the Chinese Commies can't do anything remotely similar to Tienanmen since everyone has cellphones and video recorders nowadays.

[Hugor Hill]

I wonder what the UK's response to this will be as they didn't actually have to give up the Island in 97 (only the main land) but did so if the Chinese promised not to change anything for 50 yrs

Nothing more than lip service.

considering the strong economy in Hong Kong, one could argue, is due in large part because of the politics of the British rule, and changing it could have serious ramifications, you'd like to THINK that the Chinese government has a lot of incentive not to change anything....

With that comes a heavy price, such as high asset prices, high income inequality, pollution.

Don't hear much about it on main stream news sites. Probably the Chinese government applying pressure to tone it down.

I hope the people protesting keeps this up until democratic change occurs. One thing is for sure, the Chinese Commies can't do anything remotely similar to Tienanmen since everyone has cellphones and video recorders nowadays.

It's all over CBC, CNN, etc.

And even if the police is ordered to use deadly force, I expect them to refuse.

Oh, and I love the whole "Silent Majority" slogan the CCP is trying to sell. Just because they are silent doesn't mean they support you.

[van_ws]

I liked Hong Kong better when it was a the British colony.

Mainland China has ruined HK. Fuck China.

[DonLever]

The situation is deteriorating in Hong Kong as Police use rubber bullets and tear gas in an effort to disperse protestors.

From the LA Times:

In a sharp escalation of tensions, Hong Kong police in riot gear unleashed volleys of tear gas on democracy protesters Sunday evening and fired rubber bullets in the air to disperse tens of thousands of demonstrators who paralyzed key sections of the semi-autonomous Chinese territory..

Protests were continuing into early Monday, with sit-ins spreading to areas far removed from government headquarters, which had been the main focus of demonstrations over the weekend. Vehicular traffic ground to a halt and dozens of bus lines were diverted as crowds filled major roadways.

As night fell Sunday, phalanxes of police wearing olive green fatigues and holding rifles were pacing down the streets near government headquarters. Other officers occasionally pushed back protesters, many of whom raised their arms to show their peaceful intent. As tear gas canisters exploded among throngs of people, protesters ran for cover, but crowds quickly regrouped and the situation remained tense as midnight passed.

“The people of Hong Kong want freedom and want democracy!” a protest leader yelled into a megaphone as demonstrators donned goggles, wrapped themselves in plastic wrap and held up umbrellas to shield themselves in case they were hit with tear gas or pepper spray. “Redeem the promise of a free election!” chanted the crowd.

Protest leaders had issued a deadline of midnight Sunday for the city’s unpopular top official, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, to address their demands for free, open elections in 2017. They also demanded that Beijing-backed Leung and some of his aides resign and that the government reopen a public plaza within the main government compound to allow for protests.

“We’re going to win this fight not with our fists but with our conscience and moral sentiments,” said Chan Kin-man, a sociology professor who co-organized Occupy Central With Peace and Love, one of the main protest groups.

Around 10:30 p.m. local time, leaders of Occupy Central and student groups called on demonstrators to retreat from the area around government headquarters. Though some people heeded the call, many protesters remained, sitting in the middle of streets.

Willy Lam, an expert on Chinese politics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, described Sunday’s events as a “massive show of force by the Chinese and Hong Kong government against an agitated Hong Kong public that is increasingly mad.”

Hong Kong has a long history of large and orderly protests over a variety of issues. But Lam said it was the first time that Hong Kong police had used tear gas against local protesters since 1967. In a statement, police said they decided to use tear gas after protesters had "violently charged the police cordon line" outside government headquarters.

Lam added that there were “credible reports” that the People’s Liberation Army garrison in Hong Kong, which has about 6,000 troops, had been put on alert. “If the Hong Kong police cannot disperse the crowd, there is the possibility of the PLA getting into the action,” said Lam.

Such a step, if taken, would mark an unprecedented move by central Chinese government authorities to intervene in Hong Kong affairs since the former British colony returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1997 under a framework known as “one country, two systems.”

[drummer4now]

Meh nothing is going to come out of this... It will be status quo once the dust settles. This actually works well in China's favor because they can clearly identify enemies of the state from these protests.

We will only see change once the international community finally grows some balls when dealing with these authoritarian regimes.