Their numbers have dropped considerably, but pro-democracy protesters are still visible on the streets of Hong Kong.

Many went home ahead of a government deadline to clear the streets; but others, fighting exhaustion, are vowing to keep up their campaign.

“I really don’t know what will happen next,” said one university student. “But in fact you can see here there are less people than the previous days, so I’m here to support this movement and I hope that more people can come out to continue this movement.”

Schools and businesses reopened in some areas where protesters had blocked the streets, and where some feared a police crackdown.

“We should all try our best to do what we can,” said one civil servant. “We’re heading in a good direction.  If relations improve, the situation will be settled.”

However, there is still no sign of talks promised by the government to resolve the stand-off.

Beijing has been insisting that it will have the final say over who can stand as a candidate for leader of Hong Kong in elections in 2017.