Protests ease in Hong Kong but students defiant

Pro-democracy protests in Chinese-controlled Hong Kong subsided as students and civil servants returned to school and work after more than a week of demonstrations, but activists vowed to keep up their campaign of civil disobedience.

Protesters lifted a blockade of government offices in the heart of the city, which had been the focal point of their action which initially drew tens of thousands onto the streets.

The civil servants were allowed to pass through protesters’ barricades unimpeded.