Hong Kong Protesters Press Beijing For Changes: 'Umbrella Revolution' Political Challenge To Beijing
Hong Kong Protesters Press Beijing For Changes. The Hong Kong protests began when people began gathering at various sites, including schools and banks. And on Sunday, the police opened tear gas and pepper spray into the crowds.
The Hong Kong protests are a response to Hong Kong's elections from candidates approved by Beijing. China had maintained that Hong Kong's democratic processes would not be changed. However, Beijing now says that Hong Kong will have direct elections in 2017, but voters can only select from a list of candidates.
Hong Kong comes under a "one country, two systems" policy and was returned to China by the UK in 1997, which guarantees the territory liberties not seen on the Chinese mainland, including freedom of speech and the right to protest. The protesters say this is in danger.
"The umbrella has become the unofficial symbol of the protest movement, says the South China Morning Post, after students used the omnipresent accessory to shelter from tear gas and pepper spray. Supporters have begun referring to the protests as the "umbrella revolution", says the paper.
By now, the government decided to withdraw the night police and told protestors to disperse. However, the main protest group Occupy Central has joined forces with a student-led movement following a week of demonstrations. Protestors are demanding the resignation of Hong Kong CEO, Cy Leung. Occupy Central is alleging that Leung's "non-response to the people's demands" in what has been dubbed the 'Umbrella Revolution' is driving "Hong Kong into a crisis of disorder," according to local reports.
Carrie Gracie BBC China editor was quoted as saying, "Today is the inevitable consequence of last month's announcement from the Chinese parliament about restrictions on universal suffrage, but it is also a direct political challenge to Beijing - and therefore a defining test for China's promise on one country, two systems."
BBC reports that Chinese officials have said that there should be no foreign involvement in the demonstrations.
