Stores are shut down on Sunday after black-clad protesters illegally took to the streets in Central Hong Kong and blocked the roads. Photo: Chen Qingqing/GT

 Many stores in Central and Wan Chai also shut down before 6 pm on Sunday as anti-government protesters blocked roads after a rally at Victoria Park, disrupting traffic in districts full of restaurants, stores and shopping malls. 

Some restaurant owners complained that many Hongkongers have not gone out to eat with their friends in recent weeks, and that the city looks like a ghost town on Saturdays and Sundays. 

The sluggish commercial activity was also reflected in economic data. Hong Kong's unemployment rate was 2.9 percent between May and July, higher than 2.8 percent in April, according to government statistics. The number of unemployed people rose by 4,200. 

"It is not related to the anti-extradition bill at all. Violent protests seriously hurt the economy, as retail business revenues in some districts slumped 30 to 50 percent," Peter Shiu Ka-fai, a legislator who represents the retail and wholesale sector, told the Global Times on Tuesday. 

"The impact on business affects the job market, and we've seen more bankruptcies and layoffs," he said. 

As the violent actions of black-clad protesters have been live-streamed, more business representatives asked whether Hong Kong is still a safe place to do business. 

"If violence doesn't stop, the situation will further deteriorate," the legislator said.

Liang Haiming, dean of the Belt and Road Institute at Hainan University, said that the vast majority who takes to the streets are dissatisfied with their lives as their income cannot keep up with the economic growth, and they see no hope for their future. However, they naively think "one person, one vote" is the solution.

Anti-government groups have chosen to turn a blind eye to the commitment of the government to boost the economy and criticized Lam for her ignorance of public opinion. 

"If she continues to ignore our voices, the movement will surely become more violent, leading to deeper conflicts and divergences," a statement on Telegram showed.

At a press conference on Tuesday of the Civil Human Rights Front, which has organized various rallies, the group said Sunday's peaceful protest was the last chance protesters gave Lam.

Hung believes that Lam has responded to the protesters' demands on an investigation and communication.

Lam said an existing watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC), would hire overseas experts to help carry out a fact-finding study to investigate recent violent incidents, and a report is expected to be completed within six months.

"The members of the IPCC come from all sectors and will make an independent report," Hung said. 

Hung also believes that this is a sign that the chief executive could enhance communication with protesters, and suggested that more politicians hold extensive talks with the public.

Witman Hung Wai-man, principal liaison officer for Hong Kong at the Shenzhen Qianhai Authority, echoed this view. He called on the Hong Kong government, together with all walks of life, especially the academia, to work on Hong Kong's development direction and economic structure under "one country, two systems."

But he stressed the precondition is that opposition forces and protesters end violence.

"Despite Sunday's peaceful march, opposition forces are unwilling to detach from violence and have indicated that they will resort to violence any time, which does no good to solve the current situation that Hong Kong faces," Hung told the Global Times.