DHAKA: Hong Kong’s civil disobedience protests will not change China’s position on political reform and are instead affecting the city’s emergency services, economy and international reputation.

Hong Kong chief executive Leung Chun-Ying said in his first comments since the start of Occupy Central movement, reports The Straits Times.

‘The central government will not change its mind as a result of such tactics,’ he said on Tuesday morning before chairing a weekly Executive Council meeting.

He called on leaders of the Occupy Central movement to stop the blockage of major roads, warning that Hong Kong is ‘paying a price’ as the street protests entered its third day.

He said patients could not receive quick medical help as major roads are sealed off by the protesters. He urged the crowds to vacate some of the roads to allow emergency vehicles to pass through.

He also said Hong Kong’s economy is being affected, although he did not give details.

The city’s global image has also suffered, he added.

‘Occupy Central founders had said repeatedly that if the movement is getting out of control, they would call for it to stop. I’m now asking them to fulfill the promise they made to society, and stop this campaign immediately,’ Leung said.

But protest co-organizer Chan Kin Man said the campaign has not lost control. It is, he said, the government that has lost control, in reference to the heavily criticized police actions on the protesters, including the use of tear gas on Sunday.

BDST: 1205 HRS, SEP 30, 2014