The Hong Kong government on Thursday pulled out of the first round of talks with the leaders of the pro-democracy protests, citing that the activists' renewed call for street demonstrations is an unacceptable threat.

The city's government scrapped the negotiations after students leaders appeared at a news conference on Thursday afternoon and pledged to continue with their civil disobedience campaign.

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They said further street protests will put pressure the government to give in to their demand for electoral reforms.

Not a few hours later, the Hong Kong government announced it was backing out.

Hong Kong's second highest official, Carrie Lam, said in a statement that she was looking forward to the dialogue with students. However, the threat of taking over the city's streets undermined the foundations of what she saw as constructive dialogues, The New York Times reported.

Lam said the government remains open for talks, but declined to give details on when and how negotiations will resume. She emphasized, however, that protesters must first end their "illegal occupation of the streets" and their demands for democracy before the government will consider sitting again at the negotiations table.

She added that the city's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, as it is interpreted by the National People's Congress Standing Committee and the Beijing government is non-negotiable, according to Washington Post.

This effectively denies all the reforms demanded by the student demonstrators, including allowing the public nomination of Hong Kong's next chief executive.

The government's announcement stirred new life to the protest that has steadily dwindled after two weeks.

On Friday, protesters are expected to return to the streets after youth leaders called for a new wave of massive civil disobedience. Sympathetic lawmakers also vowed to join rally.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the government's decision is a strategy that forces students to justify their street occupation, which has reportedly disrupted the city's life and economy.

Observers said that the government's withdrawal would likely fuel the city's discontent and may energize the movement, just as the use of tear gas by riot police in late September, The Washington Post said.

Tagshong kong protests, Hong Kong pro-democracy