Top China official promises to 'listen' to Hong Kong

One of China's most powerful officials today said he would listen to political demands from Hongkongers in a conciliatory start to a visit that has stirred anger in a city resentful of Beijing's tightening grip.
The three-day trip by Zhang Dejiang, who chairs China's communist-controlled legislature, is the first by such a senior official in four years and comes as concerns grow in semi-autonomous Hong Kong that its long-cherished freedoms are under threat.
While Zhang is ostensibly visiting to speak at an economic conference tomorrow, the trip is widely seen as a bid to take the temperature in an increasingly divided city with a fledgling independence movement.

It has infuriated opponents, critical of a massive security operation that includes barricading protesters into designated areas out of Zhang's sight.
Police shoved back protesters gathered near the residence of the city's leader tonight where Zhang is due to have dinner.
Seven members of a pro-democracy political party were arrested earlier in the day after putting up protest banners, with three still detained, and a leading pro-democracy activist was also wrestled to the ground by police outside Zhang's hotel.

Wednesday will see several protest groups rally near the harbourfront convention centre where Zhang is due to speak.
Zhang arrived just before noon at Hong Kong airport where he was met by city leader Leung Chun-ying and a brass band.

In a short speech on the tarmac Zhang, a member of the politburo standing committee, pledged to listen to a variety of political views.
"(I will listen to) people from all walks of life about any suggestions and demands regarding the implementation of 'one country two systems'," said Zhang, referring to the semi-autonomous system under which Hong Kong is governed since being handed back to China by Britain in 1997.
He also said he would listen to "any suggestions and requests regarding the nation and Hong Kong's development".
Zhang declared he had brought a "caring heart" as well as "hearty greetings and good wishes" from China's President Xi Jinping.

He will meet with four veteran pro-democracy lawmakers Wednesday evening, a rare move observers say is designed to defuse frustrations over stalled political reform.
Layers of large, water-filled plastic barricades cordoned off roads in the area and paving stones have been glued down to prevent protesters using them as missiles.
But activists from the pro-democracy League of Social Democrats still managed to hang a banner calling for universal suffrage on a nearby hillside this morning.
Another, demanding the "end of Communist Party dictatorship", was hung on a highway from the airport into the city.