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Posted on 04/01/2004 6:51:16 PM PST by nuconvert
Angry Over China's Stance on Political Reforms, Hong Kong Students Defy Police With Sit-in on Government Grounds
Apr 1, 2004
By Helen Luk/ Associated Press Writer/
HONG KONG (AP) - Security guards broke up a student sit-in on government property early Friday, carrying away activists who were protesting Beijing's plan to dictate policy on political reforms here. The protest began Thursday night when about 20 students barged onto the grounds of the government headquarters. Tempers later flared and 12 people were injured in a scuffle with officers, police spokesman Mackenzie Mak said. Police arrested two men, one for allegedly biting an officer and another for allegedly striking an inspector.
Beijing shocked Hong Kong last week by announcing that the mainland's most powerful legislative panel will soon issue a binding ruling on constitutional laws relating to the selection of the territory's leader and legislature.
Critics say China is violating the autonomy guaranteed for at least 50 years after Britain returned this former colony to the motherland in July 1997 under an arrangement dubbed "one country, two systems."
Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa has voiced support for Beijing's stance, saying it will let Hong Kong go forward without "endless wrangling" over democratic reforms. The demonstrators say that by blindly following Beijing, Tung is undermining the territory's autonomy.
"The government is ignoring the people," said one protester, 38-year-old waiter Eddie Chow. "We're being forced to take to the streets to fight for our rights."
As the students went onto the grounds of the government headquarters Thursday night, about 400 supporters gathered outside and tried to push their way in through a gate. Police formed human chains to hold them back amid much shoving and shouting.
The small group of students stayed inside the government grounds overnight but were taken away early Friday "by security guards, not police," said police spokeswoman Seiko Ho.
But the dozens still protesting outside refused to disperse despite police warnings that their rally was illegal because no permit had been issued.
A fight broke out between protesters and the authorities later Friday morning, leaving five police officers and seven demonstrators slightly injured.
Two men were arrested, one for biting a police constable and one for striking a police inspector, police spokeman Ng Ting-kai said. A police sergeant was kicked and hurt, but his attacker was not immediately caught, Ng said.
Hong Kong's No. 2 official, Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang, responded to the protest by calling Beijing's coming ruling on political reforms necessary and "harmless" to Hong Kong. Speaking briefly to reporters, Tsang urged the students to calm down.
The Hong Kong activists who arranged Thursday's candlelight vigil also organized a march by 500,000 people last July 1 that stunned the Hong Kong and mainland Chinese governments, and ultimately forced Tung to back down on an anti-subversion bill that many here viewed as a threat to freedom.
The activists then rattled Hong Kong again with a pro-democracy rally on Jan. 1 that attracted as many as 100,000 people.
Full democracy is set out as an eventual goal in Hong Kong's mini-constitution, although no timetable is given.
Ordinary Hong Kongers now have no say in picking their own leader. The highly unpopular Tung was chosen by an 800-member elite committee loyal to Beijing.
But Hong Kong people will directly elect 30 of 60 lawmakers in September, up from just 24 last time. Beijing is worried the territory could end up with a Legislative Council that won't go along with Tung. The other seats are picked by special interest groups that tend to side with Tung and Beijing.
I am sure the peace-loving democratic Peoples Republic of China merely wants to assure that Hong Kong elections are open to everyone and are fair and democratic.
These rabble-rousers are just trying to damage "free" trade between us and our fellow capitalists and dear, dear friends in the peace-loving democratic Peoples Republic of China. There's nothing to see here.
God Bless 'em.
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