HK: Anti-Occupy voices get louder
It's the 17th day of the Occupy Central movement in Hong Kong. Tensions are rising between pro- and anti-Occupy groups, with several scuffles breaking out between the two camps in recent days. The protests have also disrupted business and daily life, leading more and more residents to call on authorities to clear the streets as soon as possible.
The police continue their operation to clear the protesters' barricades. Early on Tuesday morning, they removed some barriers in Causeway. Westbound traffic has been restored on Yee Woo street, which has been closed down for over two weeks. And hours later, they started clearance in another major street in Admiralty.
At the Queensway street in Admiralty, you can see the police are removing the barricades set up by the protesters. The police say their action is to allow the resumption of traffic here.
The police operation started on Monday, as they dismantled some roadblocks in Mongkok and Admiralty. The officers said they would continue removing barricades in the occupied areas. Many residents say they support the police action.
"These student protesters are too naive," a Hong Kong resident said. "It's illegal for them to occupy the roads. Wherever it is, it's wrong. No matter it's in the US or UK. “
"These young protesters are damaging Hong Kong's economy," Hong Kong resident said. "They are destroying Hong Kong's prosperity, which is created by us older generations.”
As the demonstration entered the third week, the anti-Occupy voices are getting louder.
On Monday, dozens of men attempted to remove barricades erected by the protesters near the government headquarters. Scores of cab drivers honked their horns in support of the removal of the barricades. In recent days, several groups have launched different movement to oppose the occupy protests.
One group initiated an assembly to gather people's signatures to demand demonstrators to leave the streets. The group said they will launch
a "counter-encirclement" movement to push the occupants out the street if the government does not clear them.
Earlier, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying spoke to a local TV that the Occupy Central movement has "spun out of control", and the situation could not last long.
The government doesn't want to clear protesters from the streets unless it has to," Leung said. "But if that day does come, the police will use the minimum force required reduce the repercussions as far as possible.We don't want to see young people get hurt.”
Despite the government's repeated orders to disperse, the protesters still vow to stay until they see clear signs of progress. But with the rising anti-Occupy sentiment, many warn more possible clashes between the pro- and anti-Occupy camps. The police have called each side to be calm and rational to avoid violence.
HK retailers report sharp drop in sales
As the protests in Hong Kong continue for a third week, the costs are mounting. What impact will the disruption to business have on the city as a global financial centre and gateway to the mainland?
The scene along Queen’s Road Central; fronting Li Ka-shing’s Cheung Kong Centre ; after police removed barricades at the city’s business district as the protests entered its third week.
In contrast, the barricades are still up leading all the way to Admiralty ; keeping Wanchai’s main roads shut to traffic.
I’m walking along a main thoroughfare here in Wanchai at rush hour - the third Monday since the protest rallies; and the length of this is still blocked from traffic. Head over there in Admiralty and you’ll end up with pitched tents of protestors. These barricades have driven trucks, buses and cars to the side streets over there, causing major bottlenecks and lengthy delays. It has also caused business in the city to slow even more.
A few blocks down along Johnston Road; still none of the usual trams around here. But the roads have remained open to traffic.
While it has helped keep small jewellery shops like these open for business even at the height of the protests; its shop keeper says sales have been hard hit.
What’s starting to look like the new normal in Hong Kong; is beginning to worry those who crunch the numbers. To what extent, depends on how long the disruptions last, says
Raymond Yeung of ANZ’d. He’s become more pessimistic now than when we first spoke to him a week ago.
“In Hong Kong, the fourth quarter GDP contributes significantly or higher than previous quarters. For example on average, 27% of the annual GDP. So anything happens to the fourth quarter will have a bigger impact on the annual growth of Hong Kong. At this stage, I’m still looking at 2.5% GDP growth this year but the chance for me to revise it downwards is much higher than before,” Yeung said.
In nearby Causeway Bay ; where Hennessy Road continues to be blocked by protesters for a third straight week -
It has hurt shops like these; even more. Even before the disruptions began, the jewellery chain already saw a 40 percent drop in sales, as Mainland tourists reduced lavish spending amid Beijing’s corruption crackdown.
Just a few shops away - sales of this pharmacy have plunged 60 percent since the protest rallies, says the shopkeeper. He refused to be interviewed; but shared with us that it has been pretty bad, especially as his shop is located in a tourist area.
Business in Hong Kong had already been sluggish since the start of the year. A prolonged protest raises the specter of an even slower growing Hong Kong in the months ahead.
