Beijing, Hong Kong governments play waiting game in hope Occupy will run out of steam
After tear gas failed to dislodge the protesters, officials hope fatigue and public criticism will wear them down and force end to occupation
Both the Beijing and Hong Kong governments are pinning their hopes on the pro-democracy protests running out of steam due to fatigue and complaints from people inconvenienced by the demonstrations.
Sources close to both governments gave an indication of their thinking as uniformed police remained absent from affected areas such as Mong Kok and Causeway Bay. Few police have been seen near the protests since Monday, despite concerns about public order and further polarisation in the community.
The softy-softly approach has been in place since riot police were withdrawn after the use of 87 rounds of tear gas overnight on Sunday failed to break up demonstrations in Admiralty - and indeed prompted new protest zones to emerge.
Tsim Sha Tsui was the latest area affected, with a few dozen protesters blocking a section of Canton Road early yesterday, an area full of luxury goods stores popular with mainland tourists arriving for National Day.
A mainland researcher familiar with the central government's thinking said the best scenario would be for protesters to gradually pull out, worn down by fatigue and complaints from people fed up with the protests.
"Hongkongers should seriously ponder the impact on people's livelihoods and business operations if the protests are prolonged," the researcher said.