A way out of the crisis for Hong Kong? The Hong Kong executive on Wednesday acceded to a key demand from the protesters by announcing the final withdrawal of the extradition bill, the cause of the protest movement. However, the concession should not be enough to ease the grumble, according to our correspondent on site, Antoine Védeilhé.

If it is a "small victory", pro-democracy protesters have broadened their demands, denouncing the erosion of freedoms and the growing interference of China in the affairs of this semi-autonomous region. They call for the introduction of universal suffrage in Hong Kong, an amnesty for the thousand arrested protesters and the establishment of a commission of inquiry into police violence.

"Hong Kong people deserve universal suffrage"

Finally, the protesters demand that the government withdraw the term "riot" that it uses to describe the most violent demonstrations. "As long as the government has not responded to these demands, protesters will continue to go down the street," said Antoine Vedeilhe.

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"Not enough, too late," said Joshua Wong, who was in 2014 the face of the "Umbrella Movement" and was briefly arrested last week as part of a crackdown on figures of the current mobilization. "We also call on the world to beware of this tactic and not be deceived," he said.

The leaders of Hong Kong and Beijing "have in fact conceded nothing and a large-scale crackdown is on the way." "Our determination and courage to fight for our freedom will continue" because "Hong Kong people deserve universal suffrage and elect their own government," he added.

Adopting a much more conciliatory tone than her previous speeches, Carrie Lam urged the protesters to renounce violence and participate in a "dialogue" with the government. "Let's replace conflicts with conversations and look for solutions," she said, adding that she wants to engage academics, advisers and professionals "to independently examine deep-rooted issues in society and advise the government on solutions. "

"Five major requirements, not one less"

But if she yielded to the bill, she also reiterated that she would not let go of the other four requests.

Fierce comments quickly burst onto the forums used by the protesters, noting that a withdrawal of the bill did not put an end to protests. "Five major requirements, not one less, free HK, the revolution now," said a widely broadcast message on the Telegram application.

"They tried to close the door of the stable, but it's too late," said political scientist Dixon Sing, explaining that only an independent commission of inquiry would be able to begin to appease "the very strong feeling of anger and injustice "shared by the people and the protesters.

Threat of intervention of Beijing

Saturday was one of the most violent days since the beginning of the movement, protestors going so far as to burn a huge barricade in the Wanchai district, in the center, a hundred meters from the police headquarters, and the forces of the order persecuting and beating protesters right up to the subway stations.

If she was conciliatory in her message, Carrie Lam also warned that the violence placed Hong Kong in a "vulnerable and dangerous" position, a possible reference to Beijing's threats of intervention.

With AFP