Two protesters sleep on Hennessy Road in Causeway Bay on Tuesday where traffic has been forced to stop. Roy Liu / China Daily

Leung urges organizers to stop occupation immediately

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) expressed firm opposition on Tuesday to intervention by US and British governments in Hong Kong's political reform and the "Occupy Central" protests.

Hua Chunying, the ministry's spokeswoman, asked foreign countries to be careful with their words and conduct, and not to meddle in China's internal affairs or support the illegal "Occupy Central" campaign in any way. She stressed that Hong Kong matters were strictly China's internal affairs.

She made her remarks after White House spokesman Josh Ernest and British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, respectively, commented on Hong Kong's political reforms and the "Occupy" protests.

Rallying behind the ministry's comments, Tam Yiu-chung, chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, said the central government had long warned the US and Britain not to interfere in Hong Kong affairs.

This time the central government was also concerned that foreign powers were supporting the "Occupy" rally.

"Democratic development in Hong Kong is none of their business, while their intervention will not help in any way," he commented.

Commenting on the ongoing protests in the SAR, Hua Chunying said the central government strongly opposed illegal activities which harmed the rule of law and social stability in Hong Kong.

Hua said she was confident the Hong Kong SAR Government would handle the issue in accordance with the law and maintain social stability in the city.

Speaking before Tuesday's Executive Council meeting on the "Occupy" organizers' demand that the National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) revoke its decisions on political reform, Chief Executive (CE) Leung Chun-ying reiterated that Beijing would not yield to unlawful coercion.

He stressed that the election of the CE by universal suffrage must comply with the Basic Law.

He urged Hong Kong people to consider the situation in a calm, rational manner. He reminded them that if the proposed election by universal suffrage does not take place, constitutional development in Hong Kong will stand still. They will then lose the chance of choosing the CE by "one person, one vote".

Leung also anticipated that the occupation would last more than a few days. The CE warned that if the protests continue for an extended period, they will affect Hong Kong's international image, the economy and people's daily lives.

Leung said many emergency services were being affected as ambulances have to take alternate routes. This means patients cannot get to hospital as quickly as they should.

He recalled that the "Occupy" organizers had repeatedly said they would end the occupation if the situation got out of control. Leung asked them to fulfill this pledge and stop the occupation immediately.

The government's handling of the protests received strong backing from Heung Yee Kuk (HYK), the top advisory body on New Territories' affairs.

HYK Chairman Lau Wong-fat said the radical activists had ignored reality and law.

He criticized them for inciting people to storm the government offices and occupy various districts without regard to the interests of Hong Kong.

Lau underlined the HYK's staunch support for the SAR government in handling illegal activities and restoring law and order.

The HYK also praised the efforts of police in handling large protests over the past few days.

His support for the police was echoed by Ip Kwok-him, chairman of the Legislative Council Panel on Security, who also voiced his respect for the professional judgment of the police. Ip disagreed that police had exercised excessive force in dispersing the huge crowds.

joseph@chinadailyhk.com

(HK Edition 10/01/2014 page1)