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- Huge crowds of pro-democracy protesters spread to new areas of central Hong Kong on Chinese National Day
- Campaigners are threatening to occupy state building if territory's Chief Executive does not step down from office
- Leung Chun-ying has until tomorrow to resign or demonstrators will 'step up their actions', protest leaders say
- Meanwhile Beijing security officials have been accused of using sophisticated malware to hack into protesters phones
- News comes on Chinese National Day - marking the 65th anniversary China's founding by the Communist Party
- Territory's last British Governor Lord Patten calls for talks and democracy to replace tear gas
Student
leaders of huge pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong say that if the
territory's leader doesn't resign by tomorrow they will step up their
actions, including occupying several important government buildings.
Tens
of thousands of protesters jeered Chinese National Day celebrations on
the streets of Hong Kong this morning, as security officials in Beijing
were accused of using sophisticated malware technology to glean person information from protesters communicating with iPhones or iPads.
There
was little sign of momentum flagging on the fifth day of the mass
campaign, whose aim has been to occupy sections of the city in order to
express fury at a Chinese decision to limit voters' choices in Hong
Kong's 2017 leadership election.
Determined: As night fell on the
fourth day of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, thousands of
demonstrators were still in place outside government offices as student
leaders warned that if the territory's leader doesn't resign by
tomorrow they will step up their actions and occupy several important
government buildings
Keeping cool under pressure: A
pro-democracy student protester sprays water mist over demonstrators in
the streets surrounding the city's financial district
Show of support: Pro-democracy protest
leaders clarified their ultimatum for the Hong Kong government, after
pro-democracy demonstrators turned their backs on a Chinese flag-raising
ceremony for National Day
City of light: Tens of thousands of
pro-democracy demonstrators, some waving lights from mobile phones, fill
the streets of Hong Kong's financial district
Show of hands: Student protester,
Kyle, 18, holds up a light on his phone while chanting pro-democracy
slogans during evening speeches at the protest site
In good voice: Protesters chant
pro-democracy slogans during evening speeches as thousands of
pro-democracy supporters continue to occupy the streets
Words and action: This civil
disobedience message has been written on the street in chalk by one of
the thousands of demonstrators
United: Students, many who had written
messages across their bodies, cheer and sing as speeches rallying the
crowds took place tonight
Some
protesters could this morning be heard jeering Chinese National Day
celebrations despite earlier fears that police would use force to move
the massive crowds on before events marking the 65th anniversary of the
Communist Party's foundation of the People's Republic of China began.
Meanwhile,
at a news conference today, Lester Shum - vice secretary of Hong Kong's
Federation of Students - said that although the protesters would
welcome the chance to speak with a Chinese central government official
about the ongoing crisis, they were no longer willing to negotiate with
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, who they demand steps down from office
by tomorrow.
The unprecedented
show of defiance comes as technology experts accused China
of targeting protesters with sophisticated malware programmes that
can obtain personal details from their Apple devices, including
contacts, passwords and photographs.
United: Umbrellas are seen being
set-up together this morning, symbolising the so-called 'umbrella
revolution' of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong
Campaign: Protesters were pictured
massing in central Hong Kong as dawn broke this morning. The
demonstrations spread from four main areas to Tsim Sha Tsui - a shopping
area popular with mainland Chinese visitors. It would usually do a
roaring trade during the annual National Day holiday
Hope for the future: A woman holds a
patriotic placard at a large pro-democracy protest in central Hong Kong
at dawn this morning
Occupation: Student leaders of the
huge pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong say that if the territory's
leader doesn't resign by tomorrow they will step up their actions,
including occupying several important government buildings
Throng: The crowds have brought large
sections of the Asian financial hub to a standstill over the past five
days, disrupting businesses from banks to jewellers
Numbers: There was little sign of
momentum flagging on the fifth day of the mass campaign, whose aim has
been to occupy sections of the city in order to express fury at a
Chinese decision to limit voters' choices in Hong Kong's 2017 leadership
election
Differences: A protester argues with a
pro-Beijing demonstrator (not pictured) as people block areas around
the government headquarters building in Hong Kong today
The crowds have brought large sections of the Asian
financial hub to a standstill over the past five days, disrupting businesses from banks
to jewellers. Overnight thunderstorms failed to dampen spirits
and the protesters woke to blue skies on Wednesday.
Riot police had used tear gas, pepper spray and baton
charges at the weekend to try to quell the unrest but tensions
have eased since then with both sides prepared to wait it
out - at least for now.
However
cyber-security firm Lacoon Mobile Security has now accused officials of
slightly more covert tactics to break-up the protests - employing iOS
malware software named Xsser to steal information from protesters who
happen to be using iPhones or iPads.
The
company claims to have discovered the bug after investigating malware
sent to an employee's Android phone via the messaging service Whatsapp.
On
attempting to uncover the origin of that malware - which was hidden
inside an app claiming to help protesters navigate the Hong Kong
protests - Lacoon claims to have discovered another bug aimed expressly
at Apple products.
'Cross-Platform
attacks that target both iOS and Android devices are rare, and indicate
that this may be conducted by a very large organization or nation
state,' the company said in a blog post on its website.
'The
fact that this attack is being used against protesters and is being
executed by Chinese-speaking attackers suggests it's first iOS trojan
linked to Chinese government cyber activity,' Lacoon added, accusing
Beijing-based security officials of creating and spreading the malware.
'Although
it shows initial signs of being a targeted attack on Chinese
protesters, the full extent of how Xsser mRAT is being used is anyone's
guess. It can cross borders easily, and is possibly being operated by a
Chinese-speaking entity to spy on individuals, foreign companies, or
even entire governments,' they went on to say.
'This
is one the most interesting developments we have seen. It's the first
real indication that really sophisticated guys are shifting from
infecting PCs or laptops to going after iOS devices,' Lacoon's chief
executive Michael Shaulov later told Reuters.
This morning protests spread from four main areas to Tsim Sha Tsui, a
shopping area popular with mainland Chinese visitors. It would
usually do roaring trade during the annual National Day holiday.
Underlining nervousness among some activists that
provocation on National Day could spark violence, protest
leaders urged crowds not to disturb the flag-raising ceremony on
the Victoria Harbour waterfront earlier this morning.
Proceedings went ahead peacefully, although scores of
students who ringed the ceremony at Bauhinia Square overlooking
Hong Kong harbour booed as the Chinese national anthem was played.
Memories to savour: A newly-married
couple take wedding photographs in front of pro-democracy protesters in
central Hong Kong this morning
From above: The leaders of the
demonstrations have said that although the protesters would welcome the
chance to speak with a Chinese central government official about the
ongoing crisis, they were no longer willing to negotiate with Chief
Executive Leung Chun-ying, who they demand steps down from office by
tomorrow
Support: Pro-democracy demonstrators gather outside Hong Kong's government offices this morning to demand electoral reform
Starting young: A father stands next
to his son as the child shouts pro-democracy slogans at a protest site
in central Hong Kong this morning
Escalation: Pro-democracy protesters
gather in the Mong Kok district of Kowloon in Hong Kong today. They are
now threatening to occupy government buildings
A young woman in a school uniform
urges people to write notes explaining their hopes for pro-democracy
protests and pin them on the notice board behind her
Controversial: Pro-Democracy
protesters hold a banner depicting Hong Kong politicians with Adolf
Hitler-style moustaches during this morning's protests
Hong Kong's current Chief Executive
Leung Chun-ying (right) and former Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa (left)
speak at the Chinese National Day ceremony this morning
Happy: A beaming Hong Kong Chief
Executive Leung Chun-ying, who was appointed by Beijing, shook hands
with supporters waving the Chinese flag - even as protesters who want
him to stand down chanted: 'We want real democracy'
Symbolism: Government helicopters fly
past the venue of the Chinese National Day flag-raising with Hong Kong
(left) and China (right) flags attached
Power: Security forces march at a flag
raising ceremony to mark the 65th anniversary of the founding of
Communist China in Hong Kong this morning
However,
by raising the stakes in the standoff, the student leaders are risking
another round of confrontation with the police who are unlikely to allow
government buildings to be stormed. It also puts pressure on the
Chinese government, which has so far remained silent and preferred to
let Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying deal with the crisis.
The
student leaders, who have played a key role in organizing the protests
to press for greater electoral reforms, would welcome an opportunity to
speak to a Chinese central government official, Lester Shum, vice
secretary of the Hong Kong Federation of Students, said at a news
conference.
'However,
we ask them to come to the square and speak to the masses,' Shum said.
'This is a movement of Hong Kongers and not led by any specific group.'
Shum demanded that Leung resign by the end of Thursday, and that the
student leaders had no interest in talking to him.
Solidarity: Students from Taiwan and
Hong Kong raise their mobile phones in front of the Freedom Square as an
attendee displays a sign reading 'Support Hong Kong' during a gathering
in support of Hong Kong's pro-democracy protestors, in Taipei
In support: Student Harmony So,
originally from Hong Kong, uses tape to secure colorful post-it notes
that are stuck on the outside of the Hong Kong House in Sydney,
Australia, to show support for the pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong
Messages: Thousands of post-it notes
are stuck to the facade of Hong Kong House in Sydney, carrying words of
support for the tens of thousands of protesters
'Because
the government ordered police to fire 87 rounds of tear gas at
protests, there is no room for dialogue. Leung Chun-ying must step down.
If he doesn't resign by tomorrow we will step up our actions, such as
by occupying several important government buildings,' he said, but added
that demonstrators won't occupy 'essential' government offices, such as
hospitals and social welfare offices.
This morning beaming Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, who was
appointed by Beijing, shook hands with supporters waving the
Chinese flag - even as protesters who want him to stand down
chanted: 'We want real democracy'.
'We hope that all sectors of the community will work with
the government in a peaceful, lawful, rational and pragmatic
manner ... and make a big step forward in our constitutional
development,' Leung said in a speech.
The Hong Kong and Chinese flags billowed in the wind at the
completion of the ceremony but one of the main protest groups
said they marked the occasion 'with a heavy heart'.
'We are not celebrating the 65th anniversary of China. With
the present political turmoil in Hong Kong and the continued
persecution of human rights activists in China, I think today is
not a day for celebrations but rather a day of sadness,' said
Oscar Lai, a spokesman for the student group Scholarism.
Display: Banners designed by pro-democracy demonstrators hang from an overpass across Hong Kong's government offices today
Pro-democracy: A demonstrator holds a
placard reading 'Stay Calm' while stony faced police officers guarding a
Chinese National Day event look on
Demonstrators shout anti-government
slogans before a phalanx of policemen near the venue where China's
National Day flag-raising ceremony took place today
Angry: In this photograph and in the
one below, protesters make a gesture of defiance during Chinese National
Day celebrations in Hong Kong earlier this morning
Banner-waving protesters are seen
outside the venue of the China National Day flag-raising ceremony on day
four of the mass civil disobedience campaign this morning
All of the lights: Hundreds of people
also gathered in front of Liberty Square in Taipei, Taiwan at dawn this
morning to show support for the rallies in Hong Kong's
Hong Kong police watch on from behind
barricades as pro-democracy demonstrators gathered near a ceremony
marking China's 65th National Day this morning
Hundreds of demonstrators had gathered outside luxury stores
and set up makeshift barricades from the early hours of
Wednesday in anticipation of possible clashes. As in most parts
of Hong Kong, the police presence was small.
Protesters have set up supply stations with water bottles,
fruit, crackers, disposable raincoats, towels, goggles, face
masks and tents.
M. Lau, a 56-year-old retiree, said he had taken to the
streets of Hong Kong to protest in the 1980s and wanted to do so
again in a show of solidarity with a movement that has been led
by students as well as more established activists.
'Our parents and grandparents came to Hong Kong for freedom
and the rule of law. This (protest) is to maintain our
160-year-old legal system for the next generation,' Lau said.
The protests are the worst in Hong Kong since China resumed
its rule of the former British colony in 1997. They also
represent one of the biggest political challenges for Beijing
since it violently crushed pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen
Square in 1989.
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.
Rally: Pro-democracy demonstrators
listen to a speech during a protest in the Admiralty district of Hong
Kong at dawn this morning
After an evening of protests,
pro-democracy demonstrators wake-up inside tents in the city centre. The
street they are occupying would normally be clogged with traffic
Time out: Pro-democracy campaigners rest in an office building after overnight protests in the Wanchai district of Hong Kong
Prepared:
Protesters gather around the Golden Baihinia Square before an official
flag raising ceremony to commemorate the Chinese National Day in Hong
Kong this morning. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters
extended a blockade of Hong Kong streets today, stockpiling supplies and
erecting makeshift barricades
Relaxing: Pro-democracy demonstrators
are reflected in a puddle of rain water during a rally close to where
China's National Day flag-raising ceremony took place
Chiling out: A demonstrator with the
word 'democracy' written on her leg relaxes outside Hong Kong's
government offices this morning
Scale: The majority of the centre of
Hong Kong - usually so clogged with traffic - has been taken over by
pro-democracy protesters arguing for electoral reform
China rules Hong Kong under a 'one country, two systems'
formula that accords it some autonomy and freedoms not enjoyed
in mainland China, with universal suffrage an eventual goal.
However, protesters reacted angrily when Beijing decreed on
Aug. 31 that it would vet candidates wishing to run for Hong
Kong's leadership.
Leung has said Beijing would not back down in the face of
protests and that Hong Kong police would be able to maintain
security without help from People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops
from the mainland.
Communist Party leaders in Beijing worry that calls for
democracy could spread to the mainland, and have been
aggressively censoring news and social media comments about the
Hong Kong demonstrations.
Cybersecurity researchers in the United States said they had
found a computer virus that spies on Apple Inc's iOS
operating system for iPhones and iPads that they believe is
targeting the protesters in Hong Kong.
Researchers from Lacoon Mobile Security said the code used
to control the server was written in Chinese by 'really
sophisticated guys'.
Hong Kong shares fell to a three-month low on Tuesday,
registering their biggest monthly fall since May 2012. Markets
are closed on Wednesday and Thursday for the holidays.
The city's benchmark index has fallen 7.3 percent
over the past month, and there are few indications that the
protests are likely to end any time soon.
Umbrella revolution: Thousands of
protesters shelter under umbrellas from heavy rain after a thunderstorm
passed over outside the Hong Kong Government Complex last night.
Thousands of pro-democracy supporters continue to occupy the streets
surrounding Hong Kong's Financial district.
Unsettled: Lightning cracks the sky as
protesters take part in a rally on a street outside of Hong Kong
Government Complex last night
The light in the darkness: The crowd,
mainly comprised of students, hold up their mobile phones after the
heavy rain subsided yesterday evening
Shelter: A pair of women smile despite
tensions and the heavy rain yesterday evening. Even larger crowds are
expected to flood the streets today, China's National Day holiday. The
government said it was cancelling a fireworks display to mark the day
Looming: Last night's rainy protests
came ahead of China's National Day, which doubles as the deadline
protesters have given the government to respond to demands
Soaked: A masked protestor braves the heavy rain to continue the occupation of the region's business district yesterday evening
Mainland Chinese visiting Hong Kong had differing views on
the demonstrations, being staged under the 'Occupy' banner.
'For the first time in my life I feel close to politics,'
said a 29-year-old tourist from Beijing surnamed Yu. 'I believe
something like this will happen in China one day.'
A woman surnamed Lin, from the southern Chinese city of
Shenzhen, however said the protesters' demands for a democratic
election were 'disrespectful to the mainland'.
'Even though the government has brought a lot of development
to Hong Kong, they don't acknowledge this,' Lin said.
The outside world has looked on warily.
British finance chief George Osborne urged China to seek
peace and said the former colony's prosperity depended on
freedom. Washington urged Hong Kong authorities 'to exercise
restraint and for protesters to express their views peacefully'.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will discuss the protests
with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during talks in Washington
on Wednesday, U.S. officials said.
MORE:
MORE:
Pro-Democracy Protesters Occupy Hong Kong's Central District
A protester raises his umbrellas in front of tear gas which was fired
by riot police to disperse protesters blocking the main street to the
Central district outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong, on
September 28, 2014. Hong Kong police used tear gas to disperse
pro-democracy protests and baton-charged the crowd blocking a key road
in the government district after Hong Kong and Chinese officials warned
against illegal demonstrations. (Reuters/Tyrone Siu) 
Protesters wave their mobile phones in the air in the streets outside
the Hong Kong Government Complex on September 29, 2014 in Hong Kong. (Chris McGrath/Getty Images) #
Thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators gather outside Hong Kong's
government headquarters on September 28, 2014, braced for another night
of confrontations with authorities. (AP Photo/Apple Daily) #
Pro-democracy protesters flood the Central financial district in Hong Kong on September 29, 2014. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E) #
Tens of thousands of protesters block traffic on the main road leading to Hong Kong's Central district on September 28, 2014. (Reuters/Bobby Yip) #
A police car is blocked by protesters after thousands of people block a
main road to the central district in Hong Kong on September 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) #
Protestors and student demonstrators hold up their cellphones in a
display of solidarity during a protest outside the headquarters of
Legislative Council in Hong Kong on September 29, 2014. (Xaume Olleros/AFP/Getty Images) #
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