Pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong clashed with police outside government offices as tensions ran high Friday morning, despite an eleventh-hour agreement for talks, as China said the demonstrators were "doomed to fail".
Although most overnight demonstrators had gone home by the morning, more than 100 remained outside the government complex which is now the focal point of protests that have brought parts of the city to a standstill for five days.
Demonstrators are sceptical over what can be gained by the discussions with the government of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, which were agreed late Thursday to defuse escalating tensions as crowds demanded Leung's resignation.
And on Friday China reiterated its tough stance ahead of the first popular ballot in 2017 to choose the Hong Kong leader, saying there was "no room to make concessions on important principles".
Police pushed through around 100 demonstrators who were blocking an exit Friday morning, saying that a seriously ill officer needed to be let out in an ambulance.
In chaotic scenes, protesters refused to move shouting "liar, liar," in response to the request to move, with police finally forcing their way through to make a path for the ambulance.
Relations between protesters and police have deteriorated since tear-gas was fired to disperse crowds last Sunday and boxes carrying rubber bullets were seen being carried by officers Thursday.
Students vowed to continue their occupation after Leung announced that the government was willing to hold talks with them.
Many are still demanding that the leader step down -- and are not impressed by his nomination of his deputy to represent the government in the talks.
"I think he is avoiding people who are voicing their views," Abigail Hon, 19, told AFP Friday morning.
"From now on I am going to stay overnight. We hope that Leung can face the problem and respond to what we demand right now," she said, adding that she wants Leung to speak directly with the students.
The Occupy Central group said it welcomed the talks, adding it hoped they would "provide a turning point in the current political stalemate".
It was not clear when the talks would start.
International pressure
On August 31, China said Hong Kongers would be able to vote for their next chief executive in 2017 but that only candidates vetted by a loyalist committee would be allowed to stand, a decision dismissed as "fake democracy" by campaigners.
Their protests have attracted support from people and politicians around the world.
Huge crowds have shut down central areas of the Chinese city with mass sit-ins all week. Demonstrators had set a midnight Thursday deadline for Leung to quit and for Beijing to guarantee full democracy to the former British colony.
But China has strongly backed Leung and pledged support for police over the protests, which pose a huge challenge to its rule at a time when the Communist Party is cracking down on dissent on the mainland.
In an editorial Friday the People's Daily, the Communist Party mouthpiece, repeated Beijing's unbending response.
"Upholding the (August 31) decision of the standing committee of the National People's Congress is the necessary decision, and the only decision," it said, adding that the protests are "against legal principles, and doomed to fail".
Analysts say it is unlikely Leung will step down, in what would be a massive loss of face for Beijing and the Hong Kong establishment.
"If Beijing forces him to resign, they will be seen to be buckling under pressure from the protesters," said Willy Lam, a China scholar at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Authorities have scrubbed mentions of the protests from Chinese social media, while rights groups say more than a dozen activists have been detained on the mainland and as many as 60 others questioned for expressing support for the Hong Kong crowds.
Beijing's latest comments came after China's foreign minister issued a stern warning to the United States not to meddle in its "internal affairs".
But international concern continues to grow, with the European Union calling on all sides to remain calm.
"In the light of the ongoing demonstrations, we welcome the restraint shown by both sides. We urge all sides to continue to exercise this restraint," an EU spokeswoman said Thursday.
Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong, welcomed the government's offer to talk with students, in comments to the BBC.
However, he called Beijing "foolish" for not trusting the people of Hong Kong to elect a suitable candidate to lead the financial hub.
AFP
Fri Oct 03 2014
Students vowed to continue their occupation after Leung announced that the government was willing to hold talks with them -AFPpic
Israel pounds Beirut and Gaza after rockets hit Israel's north
A drone was launched at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's holiday home.
Elon Musk promises to award $1 mil each day to a signer of his petition
He awarded a $1 million check to an attendee of his event in Pennsylvania aimed at rallying supporters behind Donald Trump.
Former special forces commander Prabowo to take up Indonesian presidency
Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto will take over as president of the world's third-largest democracy after sweeping the country's election with policies like free meals for school children
Zayn Malik postpones US tour dates after One Direction bandmate Liam Payne's death
Payne, 31, died on Wednesday after falling from a third-floor hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires, shocking fans of the boy band.
Why voters in a handful of swing states will decide the US presidential election
The contest will almost certainly be decided by just tens of thousands of voters a tiny fraction of the populace in a handful of states.
INSIGHT - Sudan's war risks 'lost generation' of children
A devastating crisis is unfolding in Sudan, where the most vulnerable members of society children are bearing the brunt of the violence.
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Trump says he would impose tariffs on China if China went into Taiwan
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said he would impose additional tariffs on China if China were to "go into Taiwan,"
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.