Protests have almost zero chance: HK leader

HONG KONG, Oct 12 (AFP): Hong Kong's pro-democracy protesters have an "almost zero chance" of changing Beijing's stance and securing free elections despite more than two weeks of rallies, the city's embattled leader Leung Chun-ying said Sunday. Demonstrators calling for Beijing to grant full democracy to the former British colony have paralysed parts of Hong Kong, prompting clashes with elements who oppose the blockades and widespread disruption.
Despite repeated orders to disperse, the rallies have taken on an air of permanence, with tents, portable showers and lecture venues-drawing thousands of people in recent evenings.
In an interview broadcast on local channel TVB Sunday, Leung said the street protests had "spun out of control" and warned it was highly unlikely the action would alter Beijing's position.
After police were criticised for unleashing tear gas on the rallies in late September, the city's chief executive said that if the government had to clear the protests sites, police would use a "minimum amount of force".
China announced in August that while Hong Kongers will be able to vote for Leung's successor in 2017, only two or three vetted candidates will be allowed to stand-an arrangement the protesters dismiss as "fake democracy".
Since last month students and pro-democracy campaigners have taken to the streets-sometimes in their tens of thousands-to call for Beijing to change its position and allow full, free and fair elections and to demand Leung's resignation.
"In achieving universal suffrage in 2017, if the prerequisite is to put down the Basic Law and the decision made by the National People's Congress Standing Committee, I believe we all know that the chance is almost zero," Leung said.
Crunch talks between student leaders and city officials collapsed last week, deepening the crisis in the semi-autonomous city as protesters vowed to dig in for the long haul.