In Hong Kong’s political heart, a semblance of normality after protests and clashes over extradition bill
- As government headquarters open for first time in six days, some civil servants vent frustration at leaders
- Most protesters have left the Admiralty site, also home to the legislature
Roads in and out of Hong Kong’s political nerve centre reopened on Tuesday morning after six days of intermittent closure by mass rallies, improvised sit-ins and violent clashes sparked by the city’s extradition bill.
The government’s Admiralty headquarters were open for the first time since June 12, but the city leader’s de facto cabinet was not expected to have its weekly meeting.
At about 7.30am, only a few protesters were resting outside the administration’s offices, in addition to a dozen or so next door at the Legislative Council’s demonstration area.
As civil servants returned to work, nurses and first-aiders were still taking turns to man their stations.
Polly Liu, who works as a patient assistant, had gone to the legislature early, right after her overnight shift at Queen Mary Hospital ended. “The government has still not withdrawn the bill and responded to our requests. It looks like they are making concessions, but they have not actually addressed our demands,” the 50-year-old said.
