Hong Kong’s chief executive Carrie Lam has held talks with protesters in an attempt to regain stability in the city.
Of more than 20, 000 Applicants, 150 people were randomly selected to meet with Ms Lam in what she described as the first “open dialogue” town hall session.
Speakers are being given three minutes each to express their views.
Ms Lam is trying to end more than four months of protests. The riots began in June, when an extradition bill was introduced which would have seen some criminal suspects sent to mainland China for trial.
Protesters saw this as an attempt by China to have further control over the city .
Despite the Hong Kong government pledging to withdraw that bill, the demonstrations have not stopped – and protesters are now calling for Ms Lam’s resignation, direct elections for city leaders, and police accountability.
In Wan Chai, the area where the meeting was being held, about 3, 000 police officers were outside the Queen Elizabeth Stadium armed with shields and pepper spray.
Bonnie Leung, a member of the Civil Human Rights Front – a group which has organized several massive rallies – said of Ms Lam’s meeting: “To Hong Kong people, it’s a joke.
“If she really wants to communicate with Hong Kong people, all she has to do is to open her door; we are right outside. “
Rioters made their feelings known by creating human chains near the stadium, chanting slogans such as “Hong Kong people, add oil” – a phrase which means “keep your strength up”.
Critics also claim the dialogue was a political ploy designed to appease protesters ahead of major rallies planned for China’s National Day on 1 October – scenes that could cause embarrassment to the central government in Beijing.
Ms Lam denied this and said she wanted to bring change – adding that the conversation between her and protesters was to identify socioeconomic problems which may have contributed to the protests.
One resident, Poon Yau-lok, was skeptic that the talks would make any difference. She said: “They wouldn’t listen when 200, 000 people marched on the street. Why would they listen to just 150? “
China has previously accused the US and other foreign powers of being behind the riots.
Earlier this week, Geng Shuang, China’s foreign ministry spokesman, urged the US Congress to halt a bill which proposes imposing economic sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials who are found to have suppressed democracy in the city.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast onApple Podcasts,Google Podcasts,Spotify,Spreaker
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings