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11/21/2024 10:50:04 pm

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Hong Kong Protesters Heed Government Call To Pull Out

Hong Kong protest

(Photo : Reuters/Carlos Barria) Protesters block the entrance of Hong Kong's Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's office in Hong Kong October 5, 2014

Hong Kong protesters began pulling out barricades Sunday to give way to workers after the government renewed its pronouncements to restore peace in the Mong Kok area and to reopen roads in the Admiralty district to improve traffic.

A government spokesperson said that the "door to dialogue is always open" for the Hong Kong Federation of Students to discuss political reforms. Some members of the organization have left the area while hundreds still remain shouting "Mong Kok, Mong Kok, never retreat."

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Alex Chow, the group's secretary-general, said they are preparing for peace talks, but added that protest activities will continue.

Lester Shum, the group's vice secretary, added that no dialogue will transpire if the government decides to use force to clear away protesters. The withdrawal appeared to be a regrouping strategy that targets other areas of Hong Kong aside from the busy shopping and business districts of Admiralty, CBC News reported. Chow confirms that while people leave their informal protest site, "it does not mean the movement is diminishing."

Over the past week, approximately 4,000 protesters have gathered in Hong Kong's commercial hubs to call for Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's resignation from office. The student activities are also pushing China to allow them freedom of suffrage on the 2017 elections.

Since September 28, 165 people were injured including 21 police officers. Tang Sin-tung, 16, a high school student, appealed to the authorities that they will keep coming back if the government will not respond with immediate and appropriate actions.

According to Financial Secretary John Tsang, the Occupy Central movement caused US $50 billion decline in Hong Kong stock exchange and has since disrupted local businesses, government services, and slowed down tourism.

The current civilian disorder led by groups of pro-democracy student activists is considered one of the country's biggest political challenges since the 1989 Tiananmen Square tragedy leaving 2,600 deaths in history.

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