Even as the source stressed Lam was sticking to her guns, analysts and lawmakers across the spectrum said that while the first dialogue had got off to a calm and rational start, there could be a backlash if she was seen to be only listening without responding in a positive way.

But Ronny Tong Ka-wah, a member of Lam’s de facto cabinet, the Executive Council, suggested she was not immovable on the idea of a COI, during a radio interview on Friday.

The event, held at Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai, had been billed as an attempt for Lam’s administration to mend ties and connect with Hongkongers after more than three months of unrelenting protests and violence.

“I can feel she is not closing the door,” Tong said. “The chief executive did not say it was absolutely impossible. She thinks that the IPCC has been investigating and there can be other ways to deal with social disputes and confrontation after the investigation is done.”

During Thursday’s event, Lam insisted the IPCC was already on the job and that it would be best to leave it to the watchdog.

“Shouldn’t we let the IPCC complete its work in a few months, then make a judgment on whether or not we can accept its conclusion?” she said.

Despite Tong’s remarks, a government source said a COI would duplicate the work of IPCC. There was also no plan to kick off another investigation after the IPCC issued its report, he added.

“The main purpose of holding a dialogue session is to listen to public opinion. Lam has explained in detail why the IPCC could work,” the source said. “It is difficult for the administration to give new responses every time.”

Grilling Carrie Lam: few expectations and even fewer new answers

He called the Thursday’s session a “success” and a “good start” as the dialogue was conducted peacefully and rationally.

Writing on her Facebook account, Lam on Friday thanked every participant, saying they had expressed their care and worries over Hong Kong’s future.

“The attendees have different views but we can respect each other and listen attentively,” Lam wrote. “As many attendees have said, diversity and freedom are always the values we cherish.”

However, analysts warned Lam had to go beyond listening and be seen to be giving some concessions.

Lawmaker Eunice Yung Hoi-yan, of the pro-establishment New People’s Party, said: “It was just the first session. But if such dialogues go on to a fourth and fifth session, she cannot remain unmoved to the calls.”

Yung urged the government to launch a COI once the IPCC has done its job, starting the investigation based on the IPCC’s report.

She said she shared such views during a meeting with Lam and other pro-establishment lawmakers on Friday morning but the chief executive appeared unmoved.

Another pro-government lawmaker Ann Chiang Lai-wan, of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, also feared the public would become impatient.

“Lam has repeated herself. If she keeps repeating, some members of the public will find it irritating. They may think it is better not to hold such events,” she said.

Another government source with knowledge about the plan to organise community dialogues admitted that was a concern, saying: “The challenges ahead are how we can give more concrete and actionable responses to members of the public after showing sincerity in listening to their views.”

Political commentator Ivan Choy Chi-keung, from Chinese University, echoed the challenges.

“The atmosphere on Thursday was unconfrontational and rather moderate. Lam swallowed her pride and apologised,” Choy said. “But the public will grow impatient if she repeats that for the second and third time.”

Some protesters, meanwhile, were already unimpressed by Lam’s first dialogue.

“She was like a tape recorder, only repeating things she has said again and again at press conferences,” said a Form Six student from St Paul’s College, who only gave her surname as Leung.

A third government source revealed the next dialogue session was likely to be held online.

“It will be easier to handle with fewer security arrangements to be considered,” the source said, suggesting the time could be near the announcement of the policy address, which was expected to be issued by the end of October.

Additional reporting by Yujing Liu