HK students gather in city centre Tamar Park to protest
- 3 hours ago
- China
Hundreds of students have begun gathering for a protest in a park in Hong Kong's city centre, on the second day of a week-long boycott of classes.
Activists are planning a series of lectures and rallies in Tamar Park, which faces government offices.
The students are protesting against China's recent decision on how Hong Kong's leader should be elected.
Student leaders said 13,000 took part in Monday's boycott held at a university campus.
A lunchtime report by The South China Morning Post said about 300 had gathered in Tamar Park for the first lecture. Activists last occupied the park on 31 August for a protest against Beijing's ruling.
Earlier on Tuesday a group of students scuffled briefly with security when they attempted to rush towards Chief Executive CY Leung as he left government offices.
The Hong Kong Federation of Students claimed Mr Leung had ignored students and "simply walked past them". RTHK quoted Mr Leung's spokesman who said he intended to accept a petition letter from the students but left when the situation became chaotic.
Mr Leung told reporters that he was willing to listen to protesters' requests, but stressed that Beijing had already made its decision and Hong Kong would still have a "one man one vote" electoral system.
The students' boycott is seen as a prelude to a larger demonstration planned for 1 October, organised by pro-democracy group Occupy Central which has vowed to block the financial district.
In August, Beijing decided that candidates for the 2017 chief executive election would first have to be approved by a nominating committee. Activists have argued that this does not amount to true democracy.
State news outlet Global Times publishedan editorial on Tuesday saying activists were "misguided in their anger", saying Hong Kong had more important issues such as growing inequality.
It said continued protests "benefits nobody, whether it be the activists, the public or relations with the mainland, and will accomplish nothing good for Hong Kong".
On Monday China's President Xi Jinping stressed that the "basic principle and policy" of "one country, two systems" towards Hong Kong "has not changed and will not change", according to Xinhua.
Hong Kong democracy timeline
- 1984: Britain and China sign an agreement where Hong Kong is guaranteed "a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs" for 50 years following the handover in 1997.
- 2004: China rules that its approval must be sought for changes to Hong Kong's election laws.
- 2008: China says it will consider allowing direct elections by 2017.
- June-July 2014: Pro-democracy activists hold an unofficial referendum on political reform and a large rally. This is followed by protests by pro-Beijing activists.
- 31 August 2014: China says it will allow direct elections in 2017, but voters will only be able to choose from a list of pre-approved candidates. Activists stage protests.
- 22 September 2014: Student groups launch a week-long boycott of classes in protest.
