Police clash with pro-democracy demonstators as city's leader says government to hold consultations on electoral reform.
When Hong Kong was returned to China one of the conditions of the agreement was that the citizens of the city would have a say in who would govern them. Voting rights were allowed but the government in Beijing would pick the cities administrator. Under the agreement with the British that was to change in 2017 when those eligible to vote would have a voice in the selection of the next administrator. The Chinese government reneged on that deal earlier this summer announcing, that while voting would be allowed the people of Hong Kong would have no say as to who the next administrator would be.
Hong Kong police have used tear gas to disperse protesters, just after the city's leader announced that his government will launch a new round of consultations on electoral reform shortly. Tens of thousands of protesters had massed on major city centre highways in their tens of thousands on Sunday, following a weekend of violent clashes between police and pro-democracy activists calling for greater freedoms. The use of tear gas - extremely rare in Hong Kong - came after repeated pepper spray charges by helmeted police had failed to clear Harcourt Road in the Admiralty district, sparking warnings that greater force would be used. Addressing a news conference, Leung said his administration was "resolute in opposing the unlawful occupation actions by Occupy Central", branding its activities illegal as they were designed to paralyse the city's financial district, known as Central.
I always in enjoy the authoritarian government play book. When the populace disagrees with your tactics and policies just brand the whole illegal. That will stop the hooligans right in their tracks.
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