HONG KONG - Pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong intensified Wednesday as more families with children joined the demonstrations on a national holiday celebrating the founding of Communist China. The demonstrations were peaceful and the mood was relaxed, despite no sign of any concessions coming from Hong Kong's chief executive or Beijing.
The protesters oppose Beijing's recent decision to rule out allowing open nominations for the 2017 election of Hong Kong's chief executive. In late August, Beijing announced that instead of universal suffrage, voters will have to cast their ballots for a list of pre-approved candidates, selected by a committee of local elites.
CTV’s Beijing Bureau Chief Janis Mackey Frayer is in Hong Kong where she's reporting on the protests. Her account follows:
Protest organizers are counting on the National Day holiday to draw more people to the streets. For days, thousands have been turning out and many have been camping overnight.
There is a relaxed mood here though the rhetoric is hardening. Protesters want Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, CY Leung, to step down. He is deeply unpopular according to one recent university poll that found his approval rating to be -37 per cent.
Student leaders warned Wednesday that if Leung doesn't resign by the end of Thursday, they will ramp up their actions, including occupying government buildings.
Still, there is the need to put the protests into context. Yes, there are thousands in the streets but Hong Kong’s population is over 7 million. There is support here for China and its policies as Hong Kong’s economy has flourished.
Today is the 65th anniversary of the founding of modern China. A flag ceremony with Hong Kong’s government was choreographed with flags and T-shirts. A few blocks away protesters readied for another day of pressing for democratic reforms.
While the reasons for starting the protests are quite clear how they will end remains uncertain. The pro-democracy movement is unlikely to win concessions from the government in Beijing. There is the spectre of violence though riot police have pulled back since the clashes and tear gas of Sunday night.
Also, some protesters acknowledge the need to get on with life and not risk alienating wider public support by disrupting traffic and business in Hong Kong for too long.
With files from The Associated Press
