19 October 2014 Last updated at 21:15 ET
Neha Bhatnagar reports on the Mong Kok protests
Pro-democracy activists have strongly denied Hong Kong leader CY Leung’s claim that “external forces” are involved in protests in the territory.
Student activist Alex Chow said the leader’s comments were “irresponsible”, and said Mr Leung had not provided any evidence to support his claim.
Pro-democracy demonstrations have paralysed parts of Hong Kong for the past three weeks.
The protesters are calling for fully democratic elections in Hong Kong.
They are angered by the Chinese government’s decision to vet candidates for the leadership polls in 2017.
In an interview with local broadcaster ATV, Mr Leung said the protests were “not entirely a domestic movement, as external forces are involved” – although he declined to give details or name the countries he thought were involved.
Mr Chow, from the Hong Kong Federation of Students, said: “To make a statement that there are foreign powers infiltrating this movement right before the discussions, is evidence that CY [Leung] is hoping to crack down on the entire movement.”
One protester, Jeffrey Hui, told the BBC: “This is something which is purely by citizens, purely by those who live in Hong Kong, those who care about Hong Kong, who stand up and go against the regime.”
