HK government official to meet with Occupy Central students

Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying (R) speaks beside Chief Secretary Carrie Lam during a news conference in Hong Kong, late Oct 2, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

HONG KONG - Hong Kong's Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying announced late Thursday evening that he will not resign and is appointing Chief Secretary Carrie Lam as government representative to talk with students participating in the ongoing Occupy Central movement.

Leung and Lam held a short press conference at Government House in Central District minutes before a deadline set by students group which demands Leung's resignation.

Thousands of protesters blocked major roads in several districts in Hong Kong since Sept. 28 to express discontent with electoral reform package for choosing the region's next leader.

Students issued an open letter asking for a meeting with the Chief Secretary on Thursday evening. Leung said the government has studied the letter in detail. Carrie Lam said she wished to contact students as soon as possible to arrange the meeting, but neither she or Leung gave a specific date.

Leung stressed that he will not resign, saying he will continue to work for promoting Hong Kong's constitutional reform which aims at universal suffrage to elect the region's next chief executive in 2017.

The Chief Executive said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government and the police force have shown the greatest patience and endurance in the past five days.

Leung hoped that all circles in society could continue to carry forward the constitutional reform in a pragmatic, rational and peaceful manner.