Leung Chun-ying, told pro-democracy protesters late on Thursday that he had no intention of stepping down, and warned them that the consequences of occupying government buildings would be serious.
But Leung, speaking just minutes before the protesters’ ultimatum for him to resign expired, also said that chief secretary Carrie Lam – the Chinese territory’s top civil servant – would hold a meeting with students soon to discuss political reforms. He gave no timeframe for this.
Hong Kong authorities had earlier urged thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators to immediately end their blockade of the city centre. The protests, nearly a week old, have brought large parts of the financial hub to a standstill. They have become the biggest challenge to Beijing’s authority in Hong Kong since China took control of the former British colony in 1997.
Standing beside Leung, Lam said she would seek to arrange talks with student leaders of the protest as soon as possible.
“I hope both sides will be satisfied,” she said. “Students had wanted a public meeting but I hope that we can have some flexibility to discuss details.”
Before Leung’s announcement, the heads of two major universities whose students have joined others in launching the protests appeared before a jittery crowd massed in front of the entrance to the leader’s office and appealed for calm.
During the day, the protesters prepared face masks and goggles while police brought in supplies of tear gas and other riot gear as tensions grew in an increasingly tense standoff outside the imposing government compound near the waterfront.
Police warned of serious consequences if the protesters tried to surround or occupy government buildings. The protesters threatened to do so if Leung didn’t resign by the end of Thursday.
in his news conference, held just before midnight, Leung said the authorities would continue to tolerate the protests as long as participants did not charge police lines.
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