Protests continue in Hong Kong on China’s National Day
September 30, 2014, 5:56 am

Protestors are demanding China honour promises to hold fully democratic elections in 2017 [Ria Novosti]

“The main roads are used by fire trucks and ambulances. They now have to take a detour, so we urge the society to think about this. China will not compromise to the illegal threats of some people,” said Leung.

Media reports on Monday said almost 56 people have been injured in clashes with security officials.

89 student-activists have been arrested so far in protests against Chinese government plans to control the 2017 election in Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s top official is currently chosen by a group of 1,200 electors. Only some seats in Hong Kong’s Legislative Council are chosen by the public.

The Chinese government adopted a more conciliatory approach towards demonstrators Monday, saying it had withdrawn riot police from the protest areas. It urged people to disperse and allow traffic to return to the roads.

Activists are saying Beijing has gone back on its pledge to allow universal suffrage in the former British colony, which was promised a high degree of autonomy when it was handed back to China by Britain in 1997.

Offices of 21 banks in 37 branches were shut Tuesday in Hong Kong.

China’s state-run popular daily Global Times said in an editorial on Tuesday that “the oppositionists will face a dead end”.

“Hong Kong has been peaceful for a long time without major turmoil. If the oppositionists continue their Occupy campaign, they will bring more inconvenience to local people, the investment environment will be harmed, and the stock market and foreign exchange market will slip. These will all hurt the local people’s interests, leaving holes on the promises raised by the oppositionists,” it said.

TBP and Agencies