Hong Kong, Oct 21 (IANS): Talks between the Hong Kong government officials and student protestors started Tuesday to find a way to end the city's political crisis.

Chief Secretary Carrie Lam said in her opening speech that students’ voices have been heard clearly by society, the government, and the central government, the South China Morning Post reported.

She said that during the meeting, there would be a meaningful dialogue with the students and that she hoped that it could help ease between the two sides.

“Many people have expected this conversation for a long time. Hong Kong people feel that the society is sinking. They think they must come out to fight," student activist Alex Chow Yong-kang said.

Thousands of protestors, mostly students, joined the Occupy Central movement Sep 28 to express their discontent with an electoral reform package for choosing the city's next leader.

A month earlier, China announced that Hong Kong's citizens would be able to vote directly for one of two or three vetted candidates previously selected by a special commission.