China Hong Kong SAR: News and Images

BoQ77 · Oct 10, 2014

Black Flag said:
And then what happened to them later? they got crack down, sent home and maybe even arrested. It is easy to find and read these events on Google news.

Can you share same in China ? acts of opposers to govt.

William Hung · Oct 10, 2014

BoQ77 said:
Can you share same in China ? acts of opposers to govt.

I don't live in China so I don't need to share anything.

As for your country having the rights to protest:

Vietnamese Bloggers Plan Protest Over Hanoi Fireworks Celebration

Emboldened by pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, Vietnamese activists are rallying for demonstrations against government plans to hold an elaborate celebration marking the 60th anniversary of Hanoi’s liberation from French rule.

The government has organized fireworks displays in 30 districts of Hanoi as part of the celebration on Friday evening.

But activists say the celebration should not be held at a time when the country’s economy is reeling from a slowdown due to weak demand and a high levels of bad debt in the banking system.

“In the context of the dismal economy, we have seen so many children who cannot go to school, especially ones in remote areas,” blogger Pham Thanh Nghiem told RFA’s Vietnamese Service.

“Many people don’t have access to clean water, many companies have gone bankrupt, and the unemployment rate has been high.”

“It would be very inconsiderate and unsuitable for us if we have to spend a huge amount of money from the state budget—money paid by the people—on a fireworks show,” she said. “Instead, we should invest that money in education or health care, which are essential for life.”

Vietnamese authorities are moving to block any demonstrations against the Hanoi anniversary celebrations in the wake of the pro-democracy protest in Hong Kong, and have questioned some activists on the issue.

Blogger Nguyen Huu Vinh told RFA that local officials had come to his home to tell him not to join any such demonstrations in Vietnam.

“Such behavior shows their confusion and concerns ahead of a turning point in the world’s democracy movement, which is having a huge effect on Vietnam,” he said.

Nghiem said plain clothes police have guarded her home and followed her after bloggers across Vietnam launched an online campaign in early September demanding that their authoritarian government keep the people informed about national and foreign policies.

“The government is always worried about people expressing opinions that are opposite of its own,” she said. “They are afraid of demonstrations, especially peaceful ones.”

Do you want me to post more news report about what happen to protesters in VN? is easy to find reports on the internet. We all know you're lying.

BoQ77 · Oct 10, 2014

Yes. Make a new thread about that.
It's good.

William Hung · Oct 10, 2014

BoQ77 said:
Yes. Make a new thread about that.
It's good.

What for? everyone already knows you cannot have democracy protest in VN without police having a chat with you. :coffee:

BoQ77 · Oct 10, 2014

Black Flag said:
What for? everyone already knows you cannot have democracy protest in VN without police having a chat with you.

just for avoid derail.

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HK protesters plan fresh show of force after talks collapse

October 10, 2014, 5:23 pm

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AFP HK protesters plan fresh show of force after talks collapse
Hong Kong (AFP) - Hong Kong protesters planned a fresh show of force with a major rally Friday after talks with the government dramatically collapsed, and as they won powerful new US backing in their campaign for free elections.

Crunch talks between protesters and Beijing-backed city officials were planned for Friday, but fell apart Thursday after the government pulled out, blaming student leaders for threatening to escalate demonstrations if their demands were not met.

The decision deepened the ongoing political crisis in the Asian financial hub, with no end in sight to mass rallies that have paralysed parts of the city for nearly two weeks.

Demonstrators are calling for Beijing to grant the former British colony full democracy and for the city's Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying to resign.

Under plans unveiled by China in August, Hong Kongers will be able to vote for Leung's successor in 2017, but only two to three vetted candidates will be allowed to stand -- something detractors have dismissed as a "fake democracy".

Although protester numbers have dwindled in recent days, the collapse of the talks has spurred pro-democracy activists to push for new mass rallies over the weekend, with thousands expected to gather at 7:30 pm (1130 GMT) Friday outside the city's government headquarters.

The call came as US legislators condemned China's human rights record in a damning annual report, making a highly critical and unusual rebuke over Hong Kong.

Senator Sherrod Brown, chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, also called on Obama to press Chinese President Xi Jinping directly on "issues like Hong Kong" when they meet next month in Beijing.

China has repeatedly warned against any foreign government interfering in events inside the former British colony, which it views as an entirely domestic issue.

- Dangerous new phase -

Analysts Friday warned that the collapse of the talks pushes the confrontation between democracy protesters and the government into a dangerous phase, with neither side willing to back down.

Sunny Lo, a political analyst at the Hong Kong Institute of Education, said the government was spooked by a promise from pro-democracy lawmakers Thursday to disrupt the workings of the government in the city's parliament, known locally as LegCo, in a show of support for protesters.

"This is not a good sign now. The temperature is rising both inside and outside LegCo," he told AFP.

"If (the) Occupy Central movement drags on for a few more weeks I'm afraid police action would be inevitable. It would just be a matter of time," he added.

But Michael DeGolyer, a professor at Hong Kong Baptist University, said a violent police reaction was unlikely given it could reinvigorate the protest movement.

"They're not going to do the martyrdom thing. That would be a completely unnecessary act of dominance," he said.

With patience among many Hong Kongers running out following days of disruption, pressure is mounting on both Leung and the protest leaders to solve the stalemate.

Leung's opponents were given a major boost this week when details emerged that he had kept secret large payments from an Australian company while he was in office.

The Beijing-backed chief executive has denied any wrongdoing, saying he was under no obligation to declare the earnings and that he did not work for any company while in office.

But opposition lawmakers have smelled blood, threatening to bring impeachment proceedings against him while the city's top prosecutor will probe the allegations after a complaint was lodged with Hong Kong's anti-corruption watchdog.

Observers say Leung's bosses in China show no signs of dropping their support for the embattled leader.

"For the time being, Beijing will continue to let him deal with the crisis," Surya Deva, a law professor at City University of Hong Kong told AFP.

"But if he messes it up further, his head could come into the firing line."

BoQ77 · Oct 10, 2014

Hong Kong protests: Pro-democracy activists regroup after talks with government collapse
Updated

Photo: Pro-democracy protesters gather outside Hong Kong's government headquarters on October 10, 2014. (Reuters: Carlos Barria )
Related Story: Hong Kong government calls off talks with pro-democracy leaders
Related Story: Hong Kong government and protesters agree to talks on 'equal footing'
Map: Hong Kong
Hundreds of protesters have regrouped in Hong Kong to push their call for democracy, a day after the government called off talks aimed at resolving a two-week standoff.

Pro-democracy legislator Charles Mok said the fresh rally began at 7:30pm (local time) on Friday.

"There has been a few thousand people still sitting in Admiralty, Mongkok and Causeway Bay in the past few days," he told the ABC.

"But with the breakdown of the talks between the government and the students, the students are rallying for more people to join over the weekend and put pressure on the government.

"The size of the crowd can go up a few times compared with this week.

"We are in support of the [pro-democracy] movement and keen to support the actions of students."

We are in support of the [pro-democracy] movement and keen to support the actions of students.

Hong Kong legislative councillor Charles Mok

Scores arrived with tents despite a call by police to remove obstacles that have blocked major roads in and out of the financial centre, causing traffic and commuter chaos.

Police said they would take action at an appropriate time, without specifying what the action would be.

"I've just set up camp here under the bridge and I will come down to occupy whenever I can," said Wong Lai-wa, 23.

"I may have to go back to school during the day, but I will make every effort to come back."

On Thursday, chief secretary Carrie Lam said the government had decided to cancel the talks because of student leaders' calls for protests and their demands for universal suffrage, which she said were not in accordance with the city's mini-constitution.

"Based on the public remarks made by the student representatives ... the basis for a constructive dialogue between us and the students has been seriously undermined," she said.

"I truly regret that we will not be able to have a meeting which will produce any constructive outcome.

"The dialogue cannot be deployed as an excuse to incite more people to join the protest. These unlawful activities must end as soon as possible."

While numbers have fallen sharply over recent days, activists have managed to keep up their blockade of some major roads to the frustration of some residents.

Several hundred protesters were camped in the heart of the financial centre earlier on Friday.

One student leader said the protesters would consider lifting their blocks on some roads if the government allowed them to use Civic Square in the central Admiralty district, media reported.

The protesters' supply stations appeared to be well stocked with biscuits, cereal and water, underscoring their determination to sit it out until the government responds to their demands.

Hong Kong's opposition lawmakers have also stepped up their civil obedience campaign by threatening to veto some government funding applications in an attempt to paralyse government operations.

Reuters/ABC

BoQ77 · Oct 10, 2014

Pro democracy protesters gather at Admiralty district during the rally after government called off the talks with students on October 10, 2014 in Hong Kong. AFP PHOTO/Xaume Olleros

Associated Press
HONG KONG: Thousands of people are pouring into a main road in Hong Kong to show support for a pro-democracy protest after the government called off talks with student leaders.

After a week that saw flagging support for the civil disobedience movement, crowds were surging again Friday evening.

Tens of thousands of people have occupied the semiautonomous Chinese city's streets in the past two weeks to demand a greater say in choosing the city's leader. Traffic through three of Hong Kong's busiest districts has been blocked by protesters, who have camped in main thoroughfares and streets.

The government has repeatedly urged protesters to allow the city to return to normal, saying their activities are illegal.

But student leaders have vowed to stay until the government responds to their demands.

vietnamese_sausage · Oct 10, 2014

BoQ77 said:
View attachment 123760
Pro democracy protesters gather at Admiralty district during the rally after government called off the talks with students on October 10, 2014 in Hong Kong. AFP PHOTO/Xaume Olleros

Associated Press
HONG KONG: Thousands of people are pouring into a main road in Hong Kong to show support for a pro-democracy protest after the government called off talks with student leaders.

After a week that saw flagging support for the civil disobedience movement, crowds were surging again Friday evening.

Tens of thousands of people have occupied the semiautonomous Chinese city's streets in the past two weeks to demand a greater say in choosing the city's leader. Traffic through three of Hong Kong's busiest districts has been blocked by protesters, who have camped in main thoroughfares and streets.

The government has repeatedly urged protesters to allow the city to return to normal, saying their activities are illegal.

But student leaders have vowed to stay until the government responds to their demands.

brah, if we as Vietnamese want to be credible we need to stop posting fake pictures. This picture was taken during the actual protest. i cannot verify if it is from that student protest or from other protests but not in connected to this news report.

BoQ77 · Oct 10, 2014

I respect the article with attached image. Anyway it's for reference and exact image of the trend.

vietnamese_sausage · Oct 11, 2014

BoQ77 said:
I respect the article with attached image. Anyway it's for reference and exact image of the trend.

yes i wish article would caption as file picture and list the event that was from.

BoQ77 · Oct 11, 2014

By Simon Denyer October 10 at 2:25 PM
HONG KONG — Thousands of people of all ages flocked back into the streets of Hong Kong on Friday evening as the government’s decision to pull out of talks breathed new life into the pro-democracy movement.

Crowds at the protest sites in the city had been dwindling this week, but speakers said the government had miscalculated if it thought the popular desire for democracy was waning.

From a makeshift stage, students and other protest leaders were joined by volunteers, doctors, housewives, lawmakers and academics in expressing support for the movement and vowing to continue the struggle until the Hong Kong government responds to their demands for democracy.

But the loudest cheers of the night were reserved for Joshua Wong, the slight and bespectacled student leader who celebrates his 18th birthday Monday and urged supporters to bring their tents, mattresses, mats and sleeping bags, to fill up every inch of the protest site in central Hong Kong and prepare for a “long-term occupation.”

“This is our only choice if the government blocks the conversation. We are tired but we don’t want to lose,” he said in Cantonese, before leading the crowd in an English chant of “Democracy now, democracy in Hong Kong, we will never give up.”

Hong Kong protests have simmered, but students are calling for more demonstrations in response to the government calling off talks. (Reuters)
Throughout the three-hour rally, speakers and the crowd chanted “Stay on the streets until the end,” “Fight on” and “Protect Hong Kong.”

“Hong Kong’s determination has created one historic moment after another,” Wong said, demanding that the government apologize for using tear gas at the start of the protests, and threatening to expand the protests if the authorities do not come to the negotiating table.

Above the stage, banners demanded that Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying step down, called for democracy and justice, warned Taiwan to “beware” of China, and quoted the lyrics from a local pop song imploring people to “hold tight to freedom amid the wind and rain.”

In Washington, the Congressional-Executive Commission on China said the United States should boost support for democracy in Hong Kong. Beijing responded by saying this was sending the wrong message to demonstrators and called the statement a “deliberate attack” on China.

Speaking in Berlin, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said the situation in Hong Kong was part of China’s internal affairs and warned other countries to respect China’s sovereignty, news agencies reported.

“I am sure the people of Hong Kong have the wisdom, and the government has the authority, to preserve the prosperity of the city and also social stability,” he said.

In Hong Kong, frustration has grown at the prolonged occupation of streets, but the movement still appears to enjoy considerable popular support.

At the rally at the main protest site, speakers condemned the government’s decision to withdraw from talks with the students that had been planned for Friday, reserving particular ire for Leung and his deputy Carrie Lam, who had been supposed to lead the official delegation.

“If they had any courage, they should be here facing us,” said Alex Chow, secretary general of the Hong Kong Federation of Students. “I am prepared to talk to Carrie Lam, but where are you? You cannot escape from us — maybe for now, but not forever. You cannot insult us forever. This government has no legitimacy.”

Academics read out a petition accusing the Chinese government of violating the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s mini-constitution introduced after the handover from British rule, by failing to grant Hong Kong the right to elect its own leaders according to international democratic standards. They also accused the Hong Kong government of unwillingness to talk and to listen to its own citizens, and faulted the police for using tear gas on peaceful protesters at the start of the protests.

“We condemn the government’s lack of goodwill and its unwillingness to deal with the crisis through genuine dialogue,” said retired professor Ho Chi-kwan, reading a petition that she said had been signed by 140 academics in less than five hours Friday.

On Thursday, Lam, the territory’s chief secretary for administration, said the government did not believe talks could be held in a constructive atmosphere while the protests continued, but she also demanded that the students accept the Chinese Communist Party’s ruling in August that effectively closed the door on democracy for the former British colony.

That decision stipulated that only candidates acceptable to Beijing would be allowed to stand in elections planned for 2017 to elect Leung’s replacement. Protesters want an open field of candidates, arguing that the current system produces a chief executive who behaves as if he is answerable only to Beijing and who does not defend the interests of the people of Hong Kong.

Just as the use of tear gas was a major recruiting factor for the protests two weeks ago, the government’s decision to back out of talks appeared to have galvanized popular anger this week.

In the crowd, there was little optimism that Beijing would back down, but rather a sense that Hong Kong had been irrevocably changed by the protests and that the current system — where Beijing rules the territory by proxy through a narrow political and business elite — was unsustainable.

“I am extremely moved by this, by how people came out to do this,” said Kenneth Wong, a 24-year-old fashion designer who planned to stay the night at the site with a friend. “It’s like a battle you can’t win. It’s really sad the government won’t take any step to try to achieve a consensus. But the government has definitely underestimated the power of the people.”

Meanwhile, the China Human Rights Defenders group said police across China had taken into custody dozens of activists, petitioners, artists and other citizens who had posted messages online or gathered to show support for the protesters. The majority of the detentions took place in Beijing.

Daniela Deane in Rome contributed to this report.