Hong Kong authorities to hold talks with protestors

Hong Kong's leader said today that his government has agreed to hold a dialogue with pro-democracy student activists to discuss reforms, but that such a discussion must take place within the context of Chinese law. He also renewed warnings to protesters not to occupy government buildings.

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying appeared at a news conference with Chief Secretary Carrie Lam less than half an hour before a deadline set by student activists for his resignation. Activists threatened to occupy government buildings if their deadline was not met.

Leung said Lam would would open a dialogue as soon as possible, he said, without giving a time frame.

Beijing has thrown its full support behind Leung, calling the protests illegal and "doomed to fail".

Hong Kong temporarily closed government offices in the main protest-hit area, saying staff should work from home because access roads to central offices were blocked.