By Coconuts Hong Kong December 1, 2014 / 15:08 HKT
The Hong Kong government has called on protesters to stop “building castles in the air” after dozens of injuries and arrests during clashesoutside government buildings last night and this morning.
The rather obscure phrase – which means to daydream or indulge in pipe dreams, according to Wikitionary – was crowbarred into an otherwise typical government release.
Reacting to threats by some pro-democracy protesters who say they will continue their illegal occupation of Hong Kong’s roads until the government responds to their demands for universal suffrage, the statement read:
“… the Government has reiterated repeatedly that any discussion relating to constitutional reform must be guided by the Basic Law and the decision of the National People's Congress Standing Committee. Deliberate disregard for and distortion of these important legal principles through building castles in the air would only delay the constitutional and democratic development of Hong Kong.”
While we’re on the subject, let’s just relive this little piece of retro pop awesomeness:
A spokesman branded last night’s apparent storming of police lines as acts that “show blatant disregard for the law and endanger public safety”, adding that society would not accept the protesters’ actions.
“During the jostling, the violent radicals deliberately threw objects including water bottles, helmets and pepper powder at the police officers. They also used strong flashlights against police officers and attacked them with fire extinguisher spray. The violent radicals repeatedly provoked and verbally abused police officers and continuously incited others at the scene to charge the police cordon lines,” the spokesman said.
It was then described how police took “resolute action by using appropriate force to stop these illegal acts and disperse and arrest those involved.”
It was confirmed that 40 were arrested last night and this morning, and that more arrests are likely to be made.
Eleven police officers were reportedly injured, and according to the Hospital Authority, 40 people were sent to accident and emergency wards between 10pm last night and 8:15am this morning.
The rather obscure phrase – which means to daydream or indulge in pipe dreams, according to Wikitionary – was crowbarred into an otherwise typical government release.
Reacting to threats by some pro-democracy protesters who say they will continue their illegal occupation of Hong Kong’s roads until the government responds to their demands for universal suffrage, the statement read:
“… the Government has reiterated repeatedly that any discussion relating to constitutional reform must be guided by the Basic Law and the decision of the National People's Congress Standing Committee. Deliberate disregard for and distortion of these important legal principles through building castles in the air would only delay the constitutional and democratic development of Hong Kong.”
While we’re on the subject, let’s just relive this little piece of retro pop awesomeness:
A spokesman branded last night’s apparent storming of police lines as acts that “show blatant disregard for the law and endanger public safety”, adding that society would not accept the protesters’ actions.
“During the jostling, the violent radicals deliberately threw objects including water bottles, helmets and pepper powder at the police officers. They also used strong flashlights against police officers and attacked them with fire extinguisher spray. The violent radicals repeatedly provoked and verbally abused police officers and continuously incited others at the scene to charge the police cordon lines,” the spokesman said.
It was then described how police took “resolute action by using appropriate force to stop these illegal acts and disperse and arrest those involved.”
It was confirmed that 40 were arrested last night and this morning, and that more arrests are likely to be made.
Eleven police officers were reportedly injured, and according to the Hospital Authority, 40 people were sent to accident and emergency wards between 10pm last night and 8:15am this morning.
