Hong Kong - what next?

Hong Kong - what next?

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Ninteen-year-old Francis Ng is one of the many protesters on the streets in Hong Kong. Ng, who has been helping people injured in the demonstrations, said that, "Life is more important than politics.”

Reuters photographers Bobby Yip and Carlos Barria took portraits of protesters and asked them “what do you want to happen next?” Together with detail images of life on the barricades they paint a portrait of the protests.

. HONG KONG, China. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Student protesters galvanised Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement with their energy, bringing tens of thousands of people on to the streets but momentum is difficult to maintain, and over the last few days the numbers of protesters has dwindled.

Talks between protest leaders and officials were due to take place on Friday, in a bid to ease the simmering tensions, but these were cancelled by the government. Student leaders accused the government of using petty excuses to derail the talks and called for more people to occupy the streets.

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Joe Chan, 30, a shop owner and Mongkok resident, said: "I don't care much about politics, but the local government tilting toward China is not good for Hong Kong. I come out because I am against the use of teargas by the police over non-violent protests."
. HONG KONG, China. REUTERS/Bobby Yip

Joe Chan, 30, a shop owner and Mongkok resident, said: "I don't care much about politics, but the local government tilting toward China is not good for Hong Kong. I come out because I am against the use of teargas by the police over non-violent protests."

Mobile phones recharge in an area occupied by pro-democracy protestors.
. HONG KONG, China. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Mobile phones recharge in an area occupied by pro-democracy protestors.

Crystal, 15, a part-time boutique sales assistant holds a walkie talkie for fast communication with other supporters. She said: "I am not demanding Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying to quit, but [want] to protect protesters from being threatened badly by opponents and the police."
. HONG KONG, China. REUTERS/Bobby Yip

Crystal, 15, a part-time boutique sales assistant holds a walkie talkie for fast communication with other supporters. She said: "I am not demanding Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying to quit, but [want] to protect protesters from being threatened badly by opponents and the police."

Cleaning products are seen in an area occupied by pro-democracy protesters near the government headquarters.
. HONG KONG, China. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Cleaning products are seen in an area occupied by pro-democracy protesters near the government headquarters.

Andy Yung, 30, a lifeguard, said: "I come here to protect the students from being attacked and I support real universal suffrage."
. HONG KONG, China. REUTERS/Bobby Yip

Andy Yung, 30, a lifeguard, said: "I come here to protect the students from being attacked and I support real universal suffrage."

Pictures showing how to protect against teargas are seen on a tent.
. HONG KONG, China. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Pictures showing how to protect against teargas are seen on a tent.

Wong Ka-pang, 89, fled mainland China in 1949. He said: "My younger brother was killed in the cultural revolution. If I don't come, who will come? I won't revolt if there is a crackdown."
. HONG KONG, China. REUTERS/Bobby Yip

Wong Ka-pang, 89, fled mainland China in 1949. He said: "My younger brother was killed in the cultural revolution. If I don't come, who will come? I won't revolt if there is a crackdown."

Umbrellas are seen in an area occupied by protesters near the government headquarters.
. HONG KONG, China. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Umbrellas are seen in an area occupied by protesters near the government headquarters.

Yuti Tam, 62, poses with her newly bought loud-hailer on Nathan Road in Mongkok shopping district. Tam said: "I want to spread the message of why we are here. We fight for something that is priceless, to benefit the community as a whole in the long run. Individual's financial loss is temporary. I apologize to those being affected."
. HONG KONG, China. REUTERS/Bobby Yip

Yuti Tam, 62, poses with her newly bought loud-hailer on Nathan Road in Mongkok shopping district. Tam said: "I want to spread the message of why we are here. We fight for something that is priceless, to benefit the community as a whole in the long run. Individual's financial loss is temporary. I apologize to those being affected."

Towels and gloves, which protesters use as protection from teargas, are laid out.
. HONG KONG, China. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Towels and gloves, which protesters use as protection from teargas, are laid out.

Showing only his eyes to hide his identity, John said: "I am here to distribute leaflets on democracy, to tell people this movement is not a carnival."
. HONG KONG, China. REUTERS/Bobby Yip

Showing only his eyes to hide his identity, John said: "I am here to distribute leaflets on democracy, to tell people this movement is not a carnival."

A barricade is seen in an area controlled by the protestors.
. HONG KONG, China. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

A barricade is seen in an area controlled by the protestors.

Charky Leung, 24, an office worker, who mans the barricade said: "I carry a mask as I am afraid of being pepper sprayed by the police. Here in Mongkok we have a clear demand of a real universal suffrage, rather than just asking Hong Kong leader to step down."
. HONG KONG, China. REUTERS/Bobby Yip

Charky Leung, 24, an office worker, who mans the barricade said: "I carry a mask as I am afraid of being pepper sprayed by the police. Here in Mongkok we have a clear demand of a real universal suffrage, rather than just asking Hong Kong leader to step down."

Bottles of water are seen in an area blocked by pro-democracy protesters near the government headquarters.
. HONG KONG, China. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Bottles of water are seen in an area blocked by pro-democracy protesters near the government headquarters.

Young, 49, said: "I come here not supporting students but support the spirit of this movement."
. HONG KONG, China. REUTERS/Bobby Yip

Young, 49, said: "I come here not supporting students but support the spirit of this movement."

A barricade is seen in an area blocked by pro-democracy protesters near the government headquarters in Hong Kong.
. HONG KONG, China. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

A barricade is seen in an area blocked by pro-democracy protesters near the government headquarters in Hong Kong.