Civil servants are returning to work and schools are opening their doors again as the pro-democracy protests are seemingly winding down in Hong Kong. The protests, sparked by the failure of the Chinese government to institute more democratic reforms in the special territory, have lasted for over a week.
According to sources cited by Fox News, the students who were at the core of the pro-democracy protests, have taken early steps to start a discussion with the government about their demands – a series of political reforms. The actual negotiations have not started yet, though, as there are many disagreements to sort out beforehand. Still, the signs are clear: protesters have agreed to remove several barriers blocking the streets of Hong Kong on Sunday, and the crowds have mostly dispersed. Some of the activists involved in the protests do not agree with the partial withdrawal at the government buildings. Students will continue to protest until the details of an acceptable solution will be worked out.
After a week that saw tens of thousands of protesters in the streets, the movement has seemingly thinned down to just dozens of them. Even in the city’s areas where the protests have transformed from a peaceful demonstration into a veritable riot, involving violent clashes with the police forces, just a few hundred protesters have remained in place.
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Apparently, the partial withdrawal of the protesters is part of a strategy to regroup in other areas of the city – protesters were urged to shift the center of the protests toward the Hong Kong Admiralty area, a shopping and business district of the city. The government expects some disruptions to continue in these areas – it is determined to restore order in Hong Kong, and clear out any “unreasonable, unnecessary obstructions” by any members of the public. Some protesters continue to consider withdrawing from the streets a sign of surrender, and are against any kind of concessions in this matter.