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，香港政府取消了与亲民主抗议活动前线的学生之间的谈判，并指责他们的领袖利用谈判煽动更多人参加抗议活动。在长达10天的对峙之后，谈判取消是个十分遗憾的挫折。在这次对峙中，当局和要求更开放选举制度的抗议者之间看上去几乎不存在共同立场。目前，抗议者的人数已大幅减少。然而要想打破这场令香港陷入严重无序状态的僵局，谈判依然十分必要。双方必须努力将谈判重新提上日程。