You're tearing us apart, former Hong Kong leader Tung Chee-hwa tells protesters
Former chief executive rules out intervention by Beijing, but begs students to leave streets, warning damage could be 'beyond imagination'
The Occupy Central movement could hurt Hong Kong's economy severely, tear the community apart and undermine the rule of law if the street protests continue, the city's first chief executive after its return to China has warned.
Tung Chee-hwa, now a vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, met the media for the first time since the democracy protests broke out 27 days ago.
Tung, who is familiar with Beijing's thinking, said it would not use military force to break up the protests now occupying three locations in the heart of the city, as it retained confidence in the abilities of local police.
He also voiced backing for Leung Chun-ying, saying the embattled chief executive had done nothing wrong.
But the 77-year-old, adopting the tone of a worried grandfather, urged the protesters, mostly students, to leave the streets. The city should implement democracy gradually, he said.
"In civilised societies, conflicts are resolved through dialogue, not in the streets," he said. "Students should not use the occupation as a bargaining chip with the government."