Photo: EPA
The month-long protests in Hong Kong have continued throughout October with protesters still occupying the streets and demanding democracy for Hong Kong. However, little response has been heard from China, who refuse to back down on their decision to screen candidates for the 2017 elections for chief executive in Hong Kong.
Protesters have insisted that the only solution is for the local government in Hong Kong to fight for their rights against China. They have also demanded the resignation of current Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, who has failed to show any support for Hong Kong’s right to democracy and has encouraged protesters to back down.
Hong Kong protesters are standing up for their right to “a high degree of autonomy” from China, which was promised in the Basic Law, signed when the British handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997. It was agreed that Hong Kong would be run under “one country, two systems. The protests began on September 28, with many sleeping on the streets, and on at least one night protest numbers exceeded 10,000.
Talks have taken place between the Hong Kong government and student protest leaders, who called for a vote asking protesters whether they would support the Hong Kong government’s report asking Beijing to reconsider open nominations in 2017. The vote, which was due to take place on October 26 and 27, was cancelled at the last minute.
With no sign of China reconsidering, some protesters are struggling to see a suitable resolution. Protester Jo Tai told the Guardian UK “I think we should think about our plan and think about whether to retreat. We can’t occupy the streets with no time limitations”.
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