Hong Kong Protesters Say May Not Join Further Talks

Student leaders may not participate in further talks with Hong Kong's government, state-funded broadcaster RTHK reported Thursday, the 26th day of occupation of roads by pro-democracy protesters.



The secretary-general of the Hong Kong Federation of Students, Alex Chow, said he could not see any "practical need" for a second round of talks on political reform after the two sides met for the first time Tuesday.



The students are insisting the government either accept their demands for civic nomination of chief executive candidates for the 2017 election or set out a timetable and blueprint for democratic nomination procedures.



So far, as concessions to the students, the government has offered to submit a report to China's cabinet, the State Council, to inform Beijing of public sentiment in the territory and to consider setting up a "platform" for dialogue on constitutional development.



Separately, protest zones were peaceful Thursday morning after an eventful night that raised tensions.



A man smashed jars containing flammable liquids and then lit at least one cigarette lighter Wednesday evening in the Mong Kok protest zone – which has been the site of scuffles between protesters and opposition groups during the three weeks of rallies.



No fire started and it was unknown whether the man had actually intended to start a blaze.



Still, the incident – which occurred in front of an Anadolu Agency correspondent – may have increased the perception that the protest zone is increasingly dangerous, as repeated government statements have said.



Protesters restrained the man and then waited for the nearby police to arrive. Police appeared slow to respond to the incident, despite protesters' calls.



The man later appeared to collapse and was stretchered away from the scene by ambulance officers.



Another incident overnight may also serve to drive protesters away – four bags, apparently containing a mix of paint and feces, were hurled from a building toward them.



Several demonstrators and at least two children were splashed with the brown substance, the South China Morning Post reported.



No arrests were made.



The demonstrations are seen as the biggest challenge to Beijing's control of the former British colony since the handover in 1997.



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