Scuffles broke out Sunday between a large group of protesters and police, following a town hall-style meeting held by Hong Kong’s new leader, one week after he took office.
New chief executive Leung Chun-ying smiled as he was escorted out of the community hall building by police while protesters shouted and threw balled-up paper at him.
Officers were forced to surround Leung’s car as it was driven away to protect him from the protesters.
Television news footage showed multiple people knocked to the ground during the conflict.
Sunday’s session was supposed to be part of Leung’s charm campaign to address simmering public discontent and distrust over his administration, which is seen to be heavily influenced by Chinese leadership in Beijing.
“The matter of trust is very important… in citizens’ right and freedom to express their views, including the issue of the freedom of the press,” said Leung during the meeting.
A poll released by the University of Hong Kong last month showed Leung’s popularity rating falling to 51.5, with nearly 40 percent of people saying they did not trust the government.
Last Sunday rally organisers claimed 400,000 people turned out to protest against the new chief executive and Beijing’s meddling in local affairs, just hours after Leung was sworn in by Chinese president Hu Jintao.
Police gave a much lower estimate, putting the rally and march turnout, on the 15th anniversary of the former British colony’s return to China, at 63,000.
However both estimates were the highest respective figures for eight years.
Less than a week ago a similar community hall meeting hosted by Leung was ended early after he was heckled by protesters before police escorted him out of the building.
Hong Kong does not get to choose its leader via universal suffrage. But Beijing has promised a direct election for the chief executive post in 2017, and for the legislature by 2020.
