#john ruwitch

[newsdock]

After clashes, Hong Kong students, government stand their ground before talks

By Donny Kwok and John Ruwitch HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong students and the government stood their ground on Monday ahead of talks aimed at defusing more than three weeks of pro-democracy protests that have blocked traffic around the Chinese-controlled city, but expectations of a breakthrough were low. Student-led protesters are calling for free elections in the former British trading post, but China insists on screening candidates first. Hong Kong's Beijing-backed leader, Leung Chun-ying, has said the city's government was unwilling to compromise on China's restrictions. ... Source: Reuters

[newsdock]

By Diana Chan and John Ruwitch HONG KONG (Reuters) - Pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong agreed with the city's government late on Tuesday to start formal talks later this week to address concerns that have brought tens of thousands of people onto the city's streets. The student-led demonstrations have calmed since clashes with police over a week ago, and the number of protesters has fallen since violent scuffles broke out at the weekend between demonstrators and pro-Beijing opponents. ... Source: Reuters

[newsdock]

By Donny Kwok and John Ruwitch HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong's dwindling pro-democracy protesters relaxed blockades of key places on Tuesday, allowing some business supplies in and out, although traffic was still largely snarled and talks with the government offered little hope of a quick solution. Hundreds of protesters in the second week of their campaign for greater democracy were camped out on the road leading into Hong Kong's main government and business districts, the last holdouts after days of rallies that attracted tens of thousands at their peak. ... Source: Reuters

[newsdock]

By Donny Kwok and John Ruwitch HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong pro-democracy demonstrators risked a backlash from commuters and retailers on Tuesday as lingering protests caused traffic chaos and sales slump in the global financial hub, with preliminary talks with the government suggesting no quick solution. Hundreds of protesters remained camped out on the main road leading into Hong Kong's main government and business districts, the last holdouts after more than a week of rallies that attracted tens of thousands on to the streets at their peak. ... Source: Reuters

[newsdock]

By John Ruwitch and Donny Kwok HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong started to return to work on Monday after more than a week of pro-democracy protests disrupted the Chinese-controlled city, with the protest movement facing a test of its stamina after more clashes with police and pro-Beijing opponents. Civil servants began arriving for work at the main government offices of Hong Kong's leader, Leung Chun-ying, which have been the focal point of protests that initially drew tens of thousands onto the streets. The bureaucrats were allowed to pass through protesters' barricades unimpeded. ... Source: Reuters

[newsdock]

By John Ruwitch and Clare Jim HONG KONG (Reuters) - Some Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters, many in tears, began leaving the Mong Kok area of the city late on Sunday, pulling back from the scene of recent clashes with those who back the pro-Beijing government. Fearing a police crackdown may come within hours, other protesters who have paralyzed parts of the Asian financial hub with mass sit-ins also pulled back from outside Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's office, with police removing barricades nearby. ... Source: Reuters

[newsdock]

By John Ruwitch and Clare Jim HONG KONG (Reuters) - Fearing a police crackdown, Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters bowed to government pressure and said they would lift a blockade of key government buildings, but student leaders braced for a showdown in the heart of the Asian financial center. Tens of thousands of protesters have staged sit-ins across Hong Kong over the past week, demanding the city's pro-Beijing leader Leung Chun-ying step down and for the right to vote for a leader of their choice in 2017. ... Source: Reuters

[newsdock]

By John Ruwitch and Clare Jim HONG KONG (Reuters) - Fresh scuffles broke out on Saturday between Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters and opponents of the week-long demonstrations, reigniting concerns that the Chinese-controlled city's worst unrest in decades could take a violent turn. The protests have been largely peaceful since they began a week ago, when tens of thousands flooded the streets demanding Beijing grant Hong Kong the unfettered right to choose its own leader. ... Source: Reuters