HK protesters dig in for long haul

Pro-democracy demonstrators attend a rally next to the central government offices in Hong Kong, yesterday. Hong Kong's democracy protest leaders implored supporters to bring tents and dig in for the long haul, threatening to expand their occupation of key parts of the city after talks with the government collapsed. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong's democracy protest leaders yesterday implored supporters to bring tents and dig in for the long haul, threatening to expand their occupation of key parts of the city after talks with the government collapsed.

Crunch negotiations between protesters and Beijing-backed city officials were slated for yesterday, but fell apart Thursday after the government pulled out, blaming students for attempting to escalate demonstrations.

Demonstrators are calling for Beijing to grant the former British colony full democracy and for the city's Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying to resign. Under plans unveiled by China in August, Hong Kongers will be able to vote for Leung's successor in 2017, but only two to three vetted candidates will be allowed to stand -- something detractors have dismissed as a "fake democracy".