Former HK leader urges students to leave demonstration sites

Tung Chee-hwa, vice chairman of China's top political advisory body, on Sunday night urged students joining in the Occupy Central movement to leave demonstration areas as soon as possible.

In a statement, Tung, who is also a former chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, told the Occupy students that their appeal for democracy and faith in ideals have been heard and understood.

It has been the eighth day since the Occupy Central initiators announced the movement's commencement on Sept. 28. Thousands of students took to the streets in Hong Kong's major commercial and tourism areas, expressing discontent with electoral reform package for choosing the region's next leader.

However, Tung said, street protests often have unpredictable and complicated changes, which could not only affect the students' studies and future, but also put themselves in danger.

Tung served as the first chief executive of the Hong Kong SAR from 1997 to 2005. Hong Kong, once a British colony, was handed over to China in 1997.

Tung said he as well as many parents and teachers have worried about the students' safety and called on them to leave demonstration sites as soon as possible.

Hong Kong has a diversified society, he said. "Communications and dialogues are the way to resolve disputes in a diversified, civilized society."

"Students are Hong Kong's future, and today's students could become Hong Kong's chief executives in the future," Tung said in the statement.

Tung said he believes that the students have not only ideals and faith, but also courage and wisdom which could help them understand different views and seek consensus together with all Hong Kong citizens.