In Hong Kong today the return to normality and work began after more than a week of demonstrations for democracy, and the protest movement - which has gone through clashes with both the police and pro-Chinese demonstrators - is now at a crucial.
The headquarters of the local government - led by Leung Chun-ying, the city administrator appointed by the Chinese authorities - the epicenter of the protest that brought thousands of people to the streets, has once again begun to fill up with civil servants, authorized to overcome the controlled barricades by protesters.
During the night the number of demonstrators decreased sharply. There is a stalemate between the democratic movement and Leung's government, and the expected negotiations between the two sides are apparently not underway, even though Hong Kong TV announced yesterday that the students had met with representatives of the administration.
Fearing repression, after Leung ordered the liberation of the business district and the reopening of schools and businesses, the demonstrators practically lifted the siege on the seat of government.
Only about a hundred people remain to man the main road leading to the centre, which is still closed to traffic. Hundreds of other young people are gathered in the Mong Kok neighborhood, where protesters have been attacked in recent days by members of mafia gangs and the police. The Stock Exchange closed at +1,09%
