One of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy student leaders is urging protesters to regroup as he commences a hunger strike.  This comes after Hong Kong’s chief executive C.Y. Leung warned protesters not to return to the streets after this week’s clashes with police outside government headquarters.

18-year old Joshua Wong is also calling on Leung’s government to resume dialogue with students, who are demanding a free choice of candidates for Hong Kong's next leader.  Leung says his replacement will come from a field of candidates pre-approved by Beijing.  Neither side is budging, but the government has the upper hand.  Wong is charged with obstructing court bailiffs during an operation to clear a protest camp in Mong Kok, and other protest leaders face similar charges.  Hundreds of protesters’ tents remain on the streets next to government headquarters.

Leung is warning protesters not to regroup and to stay away from the area around the government offices, saying police had been tolerant but would now take “resolute action”, adding that some people have mistaken the Hong Kong police’s tolerance for weakness.  Some see it as a sign that the government is running out of patience with the protesters.