Hong Kong Activists Agree to Talks


Hong Kong Activists Agree to Talks

TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Hong Kong protest leaders agreed to hold talks with the pro-Beijing government as their numbers dwindled and they faced growing pressure to end their sit-in.

As day breaks over the Chinese autonomous region on Tuesday, only a hundred or so protesters have remained at the
central business district, significantly down from the tens of thousands that massed over the weekend.

Hong Kong's embattled leader Leung Chun-ying had earlier warned the protesters to leave the streets and allow government offices to reopen, AFP reported.

Many heeded the call but several hundred weary demonstrators remained at the main site in downtown Admiralty on Monday night, with similar numbers across the harbour in Mongkok.

Student leaders denied their campaign for free elections had lost momentum, saying they would remain on the streets, even as they announced that talks with the government would take place this week.

But Leung issued another warning to disperse, saying they should leave the flashpoint district of Mongkok -- which has seen ugly scuffles with triad mobs - "as soon as possible".

"To prevent violent crime and to reduce the amount of injuries, police will take action at the right time," Leung said in a televised address.

The protesters and their well-organised campaign have enjoyed strong public support, with sympathy soaring after police used tear gas on the crowds. But after shutting down parts of the city for more than a week, irritation has grown.

A four-day environment symposium gathering 11 Nobel winners that was due to open on Wednesday has been scrapped "due to the sustained disruptions in the city," the organisers said Monday.

However, secondary schools closures in affected areas, which had been a particular headache for families, were lifted and the government said primary schools would reopen on Tuesday.

 

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