New | Student leader Agnes Chow steps back from Occupy spotlight citing 'exhaustion'

Prominent student leader Agnes Chow Ting has quit her role as a spokeswoman for Scholarism, an activist group representing secondary school students, citing exhaustion and stress as the pro-democracy movement continues.

In a statement titled "Sorry, I have to step down", the 17-year-old explained her decision.

"I have gained respect from everyone around me since I decided to join the social movement," Chow wrote. "However, this Umbrella Movement has wore me out physically and psychologically, and I am aware that I can no longer bear such a huge pressure. 

"I am sorry. But I am only a 17-year-old. I am very lost and tired in front of the exceptional pressure. I hope everyone can respect my decision," she said. 

Chow said she would remain a member of the group, but would no longer represent Scholarism in media interviews and newspaper columns.

Chow joined Scholarism in May 2012 as a Form 4 student. Scholarism's convener and founder Joshua Wong Chi-fung, who turns 18 on Monday, has become a key figure in the pro-democracy movement, featuring on the cover of the Asia edition of Time magazine this week.