Former HK chief executive calls for end of occupation

Tung Chee-hwa, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Hong Kong's former Chief Executive, speaks at a press conference in Hong Kong, South China, Oct. 24, 2014. At the press conference on Friday, Tung called on protesters to end the occupation. (Xinhua/Qin Qing)

The Occupy Central movement will tear Hong Hong's community apart and severely affect the city's economy and livelihood, Hong Kong's former Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa said here on Friday, calling on protesters to end the occupation.

Tung, who is also vice-chairman of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks at a press conference held in the former chief executive's official mansion.

Tung expressed concern over the harm caused by the nearly month- long protests over constitutional development. "The occupation is approaching one month and now it's time to end it," he said, adding that he worried the so-called civil disobedience movement was "a little bit out of control."

"In civilized societies, conflicts are resolved through dialogue, not in streets. Students should not use the occupation as bargaining chips for negotiation with the government," Tung said.

Several vital districts of Hong Kong has been paralyzed for nearly a month by protesters discontent with the framework set by the National People's Congress Standing Committee's (NPCSC) on electing the region's next leader through universal suffrage.

Tung said he understands the students' demands for democracy, however, the idea of civil nomination, which violates the Basic Law and the decision made by the NPCSC, cannot be put into practice.

Speaking of the harm caused by the protest, Tung said both the bookings at local hotels and the credit-card spending had plunged by 20 to 30 percent in recent weeks.

"The negative impact of the Occupy Central will go beyond our imagination," he said.

Tung said the universal suffrage for the chief executive election in 2017 is not the end but the beginning of the constitutional development, adding that the rule of law is the cornerstone of Hong Kong's success.

Moreover, Tung said the protests had unavoidably adversely affected the relationship between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, while Hong Kong's prosperity cannot be achieved without the back of the central government.

Hong Kong government officials held the first formal talks on Tuesday with students who have been participating in the Occupy Central movement since Sept. 28.