Opinion | Political solution only way to return Hong Kong to peace and stability

The calm for Hong Kong that authorities had hoped for after more than two months of escalating civil unrest was not to be. Instead, the tactics of protesters and police have shifted, taking events to a worrying and sometimes dangerous level.

The cancellation of flights at the airport amid a huge protest against claimed excesses by officers was one matter; dozens were injured in weekend clashes and with hatred so rife, trust further eroded and law and order being ignored, prospects for reconciliation appear grim.

Never has there been a greater need for Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and her government to provide the political wisdom that is so necessary to return the city to peace and stability.

There have been unprecedented scenes of mayhem. Protesters inundated the airport for a fourth day, prompting aviation officials to step in; police fired tear gas in the Kwai Fong MTR station on Sunday, eliciting accusations of reckless behaviour; an officer was injured by a petrol bomb thrown in Tsim Sha Tsui; doctors fear a female demonstrator could lose her right eye after allegedly being hit by a beanbag round; people angrily turned on police after a chase that led to people being hurt after falling down an escalator at Tai Koo MTR station; thugs rounded on journalists in North Point; the Cross-Harbour Tunnel was repeatedly blocked; and accusations abounded of dirty tricks by police.

But whatever the claims and counterclaims, it was obvious both sides had different strategies, mostly young protesters resorting to what amounted to guerilla tactics, moving swiftly from place to place to target police stations and catch officers off guard, and police being tougher than before, ever-ready to use force. There is no sign that either side is willing to give ground.