The week-long pro-democracy rallies in Hong Kong have started to wane and police have become lenient, halting the use of tear gas and pepper spray since Sunday as Hong Kong leadership and demonstrators have agreed to hold formal talks later this week.

Although hundreds of students were still camped out in key areas of Hong Kong this Tuesday after more than a week of rallies and demonstrations, protesters leave the place at night and return the next day

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The student-led activists also lifted a blockade of government offices Monday after news spread that there were going to be formal talks between the government officials and the protesters.

Police crackdowns on student leaders have prompted the protesters to vacate the streets housing banks, malls, and the stock exchange. The leaders have also pulled out from the office of Hong Kong leader Leung Chin-yung.

This move comes after protesters and police clashed last week during the pro-democracy protests with students calling for the resignation of Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying and demanding that China allow the Hong Kong people to choose a leader of their own in the 2017 elections.

The two sides have agreed on the general principles for the upcoming formal talks to be tentatively held within this week. Reports said another round of talks took place on Tuesday.

However, Alex Chow, a student leader, said they are not quitting the fight unless they achieve what they have been fighting for.

Chow said they will end the protests only when the government promises them something. He added that without concrete achievement, it will be difficult to convince people to quit.

"I hope students can persist. If we retreat now we will lose the power to negotiate," the young man stated.

TagsHong Kong, rallies, Demonstrations, democracy, pro-democracy, protests, protesters