The Hong Kong government last night called off talks with students at the forefront of pro-democracy protests, accusing their leaders of using the negotiations to incite more people to join the demonstrations. The cancellation is an unfortunate setback following a 10-day stand-off in which there appeared to be almost no common ground between the authorities and the protesters urging a more open electoral system. The number of demonstrators has thinned substantially. But talks remain essential to break a logjam that has plunged the city into some disorder. Both sides must work hard to shift them back on track.
昨天晚上，香港政府取消了與親民主抗議活動前線的學生之間的談判，並指責他們的領袖利用談判煽動更多人參加抗議活動。在長達10天的對峙之後，談判取消是個十分遺憾的挫折。在這次對峙中，當局和要求更開放選舉制度的抗議者之間看上去幾乎不存在共同立場。目前，抗議者的人數已大幅減少。然而要想打破這場令香港陷入嚴重無序狀態的僵局，談判依然十分必要。雙方必須努力將談判重新提上日程。