MOSCOW, October 6 (RIA Novosti) - The number of protesters in Hong Kong has declined significantly, as some demonstrators have returned to work, The South China Morning Post reported Monday.
According to the newspaper, some 170 protesters remain in Admiralty, with 37 in Causeway Bay and between 300 and 400 in the Mong Kok area.
The Monday morning is said to be quiet in terms of demonstrations, with authorities also keeping their distance.
Preliminary discussion on the preparation of talks with Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has begun but the progress has been insignificant, as the sides could not settle on the guidelines of the meetings.
On the night of October 4, the streets of Hong Kong were crammed with thousands of protesters taking to the streets hours after the city administration issued an ultimatum to clear out before Monday.
On October 3, the peaceful demonstrations turned violent when the opponents of the protests started assaulting the crowd. More than 50 people have been injured, according to local health officials. At least 19 people have been arrested following the clashes.
The Occupy Central with Love and Peace protests began on September 27. Demonstrators speak against the Chinese government's plans to control the 2017 Hong Kong election. Protesters claim Beijing has gone back on its pledge to allow universal suffrage in Hong Kong, which was promised a high degree of autonomy when it was handed back to China by Britain in 1997.
