HK Leader to People: Be More Like Sheep

Ever seen a herd of sheep occupy city streets to demand democracy? Neither has CY Leung, and the embattled Hong Kong leader thinks the territory's people could learn a lot from this year's Chinese zodiac animal. "Sheep are widely seen to be mild and gentle animals living peacefully in groups," the chief executive writes in a Chinese New Year message to Hong Kong, saying that after the "difference and conflicts" of the last year, he hopes "all people in Hong Kong will take inspiration from the sheep's character and pull together in an accommodating manner."

The resignation of Leung, whose nickname is "the wolf," was one of the key demands of pro-democracy demonstrators who occupied parts of Hong Kong for more than two months last year. "So is it the wolf speaking, wanting Hong Kong people to behave like sheep, so as to be slaughtered and eaten up by him?" pro-democracy legislator Alan Leong tells CNN. "I think it's crazy, and he is sick." In mainland China, meanwhile, the government has urged people to shun many centuries of tradition and help reduce air pollution by not setting off fireworks tonight, reports the AP. (More Leung Chun-ying stories.)