Economic reforms hinted at by Beijing are unlikely to soothe rising tensions in Hong Kong, a city that has been struggling with nine consecutive weeks of unrest, some political watchers said.

While some think tackling domestic issues might help, they believe the crux of the entire saga - sparked by a now-suspended extradition Bill which would have allowed Hong Kong to hand over fugitives to various jurisdictions, including mainland China, for trial - is a political issue, and not an economic one.