MOSCOW, October 3 (RIA Novosti), Ekaterina Blinova - Hong Kong's Beijing-backed Chief Executive, Leung Chun-ying, has refused to resign and has appointed a government representative to hold talks with protesters.
"The Chief Executive said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government and the police force have shown the greatest patience and endurance in the past five days. Leung hoped that all circles in society could continue to carry forward the constitutional reform in a pragmatic, rational and peaceful manner," China Daily reports.
The announcement was made as a response to an open letter written by student protest groups. Leung Chun-ying underscored that the talks would be based on the Basic Law and the rulings of the National People's Congress. The Guardian points out that after Hong Kong's chief executive had proposed talks to student representatives, the protests "ebbed on Friday morning." However, hundreds of the Occupy Central movement participants continue to protest near government offices, expressing skepticism regarding the negotiations.
According to the media outlet, the Hong Kong Federation of Students stated on Friday that it would engage in a dialogue with Hong Kong's authorities, adding that Leung Chun-ying should resign, since he "had lost his integrity."
However, according to Regina Ip, an Executive Council member and an adviser to Leung, the chief executive "wouldn't resign as it would set a bad example," the Wall Street Journal notes.
Jasper Tsang, the president of the Hong Kong Legislative Council, shares the stance of Regina Ip, he said: "Beijing will never allow the government’s downfall just because people put pressure."
The state-run People's Daily stated on Thursday that Beijing denounced the protest movement as illegal. "The actions of “Occupy Central” have flagrantly violated the laws and regulations of Hong Kong, severely obstructed traffic and disrupted social order," it stressed. Thus, it is unlikely that the central government is "in a mood to compromise," Time Magazine stresses.
