Riot police 'withdrawn'

The pro-democracy protesters remained on the streets in Hong Kong on Monday, after police had used tear gas and even a baton-charge to force them to disperse overnight.

In an apparent concession to the demonstrators, a statement on the Hong Kong government website read: "Because citizens gathered on the street have calmed, riot police have been withdrawn."

The statement went on to ask protesters to "relinquish occupied roads as soon as possible for emergency vehicles to pass through and for the partial restoration of public transport services."

Earlier, the city's chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, refuted rumors that the army might be deployed in a public statement broadcast on Monday.

"I hope the public will keep calm. Don't be misled by the rumors. Police will strive to maintain social order, including ensuring smooth traffic and ensuring the public safety," the Beijing-backed Leung said. "When they [police] carry out their duties, they will use their maximum discretion."

The movement, calling itself Occupy Central, has targeted the business and administrative district. The bank Standard Chartered said on Monday that it had suspended some of its Hong Kong banking services - such as over-the-counter services and check deposits - until further notice. The Reuters news agency reported that some financial firms had advised staff to either work from home or go to secondary offices on Monday.

In response to the ongoing unrest, Hua Chunying, China's foreign ministry spokeswoman, said the People's Republic opposed any external support for "illegal movements" such as Occupy Central. She also said Beijing objected to "any interference in China's affairs by any foreign country."

Protesters unmoved by tear gas, baton-charge

On Sunday, police in Hong Kong used tear gas for the first time since 2005 after ordering the protesters to disperse, also baton-charging one group. The government said that 26 people were taken to hospitals. Police described rumors that its officers had used rubber bullets against some protesters as "totally untrue."

Under the "one country, two systems" deal brokered with colonial power Britain when Hong Kong returned to Chinese control in 1997, the city enjoys legislative freedoms and civil liberties unseen on mainland China. The agreement had set the target of eventually electing a political leader, or chief executive, in Hong Kong by "universal suffrage."

The first such elections are promised for 2017; the protests come in response to Beijing's plans to continue to screen would-be candidates for the Hong Kong role.

Early on Monday, authorities announced traffic controls and road closures in several districts, also saying some schools would stay closed in the affected areas of the city. For the first time, the district of Mong Kok was named among those where protesters were blocking major roads and impeding traffic.

glb/se (AFP, dpa, Reuters)