Hong Kong protesters halt talks bid

Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters have shelved plans for talks with the government on electoral reforms after mobs of people tried to drive them from the streets they have occupied for a week.

The Hong Kong Federation of Students, one of the groups leading the protests that swelled to the tens of thousands earlier this week, said they saw no choice but to cancel the talks.

Hong Kong’s leader, chief executive Leung Chun-ying, proposed the talks late last night, seeking to defuse the stand-off, the biggest challenge to Beijing’s authority since China took control of the former British colony in 1997.

Scuffles in Kowloon’s crowded Mong Kok district and other areas were the most chaotic since police used tear gas and pepper spray last weekend to try to disperse the protesters.

Police were hard-pressed to keep order as the two sides tussled in a tense stand-off. The generally older people trying to force out the vastly outnumbered protesters were yelling, shoving and at times trying to drag the protesters away.

Police formed cordons and escorted some of the protesters away as hundreds chanted: “Go home.”

The democracy activists linked arms and held hands as they tried to stand their ground against the huge crowd.

Police also linked arms in an attempt to keep those agitating to get the area cleared of protesters from pushing into their ranks.

Student protesters had threatened to surround or occupy government buildings if Mr Leung did not step down by last night, and police had warned of serious consequences if they did that.

Late last night, Mr Leung held a news conference to offer talks, but insisted: “I will not resign.”