For two hours on Tuesday night, government officials and student representatives made their cases in front of a live, captive audience. Broadcast in three languages across television and radio stations, the talks were the first of this nature to have taken place in the history of Hong Kong.
Despite this, many on the street the day after were adamant that no real resolutions had been reached. The demands of the Hong Kong Federation of Students (HKFS) for the government to renegotiate decisions made by the Chinese National People’s Congress are considered largely unobtainable, and with more than a thousand tents still pitched in Admiralty alone as authorities attempt to enforce the indictment against protesters, some wonder if there was any real dialogue at all.
Bosco
Bosco, a 16-year-old studying at St Joseph’s College, said he thought the talks “weren’t very useful”, but had their merit. “It’s important to let people know why we stay out”, he said, adding regretfully, “but I think the talks were only for [the government] to express their anger.”
Having protested across Mong Kok and Admiralty for a week now, the young student doesn’t see the occupation ending any time soon. “Every time the police go away, the people gather together again. That’s why this will continue until the government has changed their mind.”
Peter with his two sons, George and Charles
Ignoring the accusations that children are being used as “human shields” in the protests, Peter says its important that his two boys, George and Charles, experience the movement for themselves. “These two are on holiday,” he told me brightly. “I took them out everywhere sightseeing.” Peter gives the Umbrella Movement another month before it dissipates, remarking that the discussions with the government were “lousy”, and asserting that “nothing will happen”.
An elderly woman who was keen to give her opinion but declined to be photographed for fear of being recognised, gave only the name “Sandy”. Initially against the protests, she had a complete change of heart after Tuesday’s talks. “Now I know what is happening and I’ve decided to support them,” she said.
Demolition truck in Mong Kok
Sandy said she became angry while watching the live broadcast and regretted her earlier stance, admitting “the students were very good at talking.” She feels that many of Hong Kong’s problems are due to an influx of immigrants from across the border, whom she believes are filling out the anti-Occupy crowds. “[Mainland Chinese immigrants] use all our facilities and buildings,” she claimed. “They just want the street back because they want to earn their money.”
While the Admiralty mainstay swells and thins without much calamity, Mong Kok remains as tumultuous as ever. Yesterday, a large truck with a crane attachment appeared only to turn away soon after. Locals, followed by policemen, tried to dismantle a side-street barricade off Shantung, leaving only orange tape. There were also reports of a man attempting to throw flammable liquid at the crowds, fortunately being apprehended by protesters and police.
Pro-Beijing demonstrators
It is clear that the protests have caused a great deal of disturbance, with the movement as a whole unprecedented in its size and method. With little change after Tuesday’s talks and with no visible end in sight for the occupation, it is unclear how long the protests will remain and how peaceful they–and their opposition–will be.
Photos: Adrian O’Sullivan
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