Huge pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong, which have shut down the city's center, have pushed the Beijing government to crack down. Today is the deadline that the demonstrators have demanded that Leung Chung-ying, the mayor appointed by Beijing, step aside and allow for free elections. Hong Kong police are warning demonstrators not to occupy government buildings. Last weekend, thousands of demonstrators were tear gassed, clubbed and pepper sprayed as police tried to disperse them.
Hong Kong and China have operated under a "one country, two systems" arrangement ever since the former British colony was returned to China in 1997. China declared last August 31 that Hong Kong mayoral candidates would first have to be vetted by Beijing, a move which prompted growing unrest in the city of over 7 million.
(photo: Business-Standard.com)
