Hong Kong leader says won't step down, urges students to respect basic law
- 10 years ago
They have been on the streets for days.
In August, Beijing ruled-out free elections for the city's next leader in 2017, triggering mass protests
They are calling for more democracy and they gave Hong Kong's Leader Leung Chun-ying an ultimatum to step down.
It was not to be.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE, LEUNG CHUN-YING, SAYING:
"Only do we follow the provisional basic law and the decision of the NPCSC can we have universal suffrage in 2017"
China has dismissed the pro-democracy protests as illegal. But it faces a dilemma.
Cracking down too hard could shake confidence in market-driven Hong Kong, which has a separate legal system from the rest of China. Not reacting firmly enough, however, could embolden dissidents on the mainland.
In August, Beijing ruled-out free elections for the city's next leader in 2017, triggering mass protests
They are calling for more democracy and they gave Hong Kong's Leader Leung Chun-ying an ultimatum to step down.
It was not to be.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE, LEUNG CHUN-YING, SAYING:
"Only do we follow the provisional basic law and the decision of the NPCSC can we have universal suffrage in 2017"
China has dismissed the pro-democracy protests as illegal. But it faces a dilemma.
Cracking down too hard could shake confidence in market-driven Hong Kong, which has a separate legal system from the rest of China. Not reacting firmly enough, however, could embolden dissidents on the mainland.