Hong Kong police surround university as violent standoff with students continues

Both the government and the protesters are refusing to back down after over five months of unrest -- and there is no immediate end in sight.

Showing his dissatisfaction with the situation, Chinese President Xi Jinping made rare public comments on the demonstrations last Thursday, days after reiterating his support for Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam.

He said that "radical" protesters had trampled the city's rule of law and that "stopping the violence and restoring order" was Hong Kong's most "urgent task."

It came just hours before a 70-year-old man, who was struck by a brick during clashes between protesters and their opponents, died of his injuries. Police blamed protesters for throwing the item which killed him.

There is regular speculation that the Chinese government might send in the People's Liberation Army to restore order in the city but so far that appears to not be an option for Beijing.

Over the weekend the specter of military intervention was once again raised after soldiers from the PLA barracks were seen helping local residents clean up surrounding streets.

The presence of the troops on the streets despite being en unarmed and wearing workout gear -- unnerved many Hong Kong residents and pro-democracy legislators, even as it was cheered by pro-Beijing newspapers and on Chinese social media.

Analysts agree that a military intervention could severely damage Hong Kong's economy and might spark an exodus from the city. Police have repeatedly denied any need for assistance from the PLA, and have not yet had to use live rounds as a routine matter.

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