Or, the 3rd option, actually step up and show some leadership. The communist party higher ups just make ominous, nationalistic but cryptic statements. Carrie Lam is hiding in her bunker and she's pretty much a lame duck now. The police leadership could easily step in as an arbiter, but have decided to act as a political arm of the government rather than a professional keeper of the peace. I don't see anyone in leadership actually engaging in public discourse and trying to solve or negotiate solutions to the problems/demands the protesters are placing at their doorsteps - which are real political and economic problems that, not only HK, but the rest of China, eventually have to face.
