Hong Kong demonstrations

In the streets of Hong Kong on New Year’s Day, more than 26,000 people marched against the region’ s current leader, Leung Chun-Ying, while about 8,000 pro-government protesters held rival demonstrations.

A scandal over illegal renova- tions in his buildings plus housing shortages, the slowing economy and discontent with the inability to have direct elections for city leaders have led to increasing pressure on the Beijing-supported Chun-Ying to resign. A few streets were blocked during the peaceful marches.