HK chief says reform must not abandon law

Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying maintained that the city government will not talk to student protesters "for the sake of talking", since the Basic Law provisions and decisions of the top legislature cannot be abandoned to meet the students' demands.

The Hong Kong government shelved talks with the Hong Kong Federation of Students last Thursday amid the protest organizer's threat to hold bigger protests if their demands are not met, such as "overturning" a resolution adopted by the National People's Congress Standing Committee.

In a TV interview aired on Sunday, Leung said that his administration decided to not engage in the talks for now, since the student activists have not been clear and consistent with their expectations. For instance, he ruled out any possibility of the country's top legislature going back on its decision.