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Public support for Hong Kongs pro-democracy protesters has grown, particularly among younger people, a survey shows, underlining the difficulty for the government to resolve four weeks of demonstrations.

A public opinion poll conducted Oct. 8 to Oct. 15 by the Chinese University of Hong Kong and released yesterday showed 37.8 percent of respondents support the Occupy movement, an increase from 31.3 percent in mid-September.

This is not surprising because the government has so mishandled the protest with police using tear gas and a sense that the government doesnt represent Hong Kong, said Michael Davis, a law professor at the University of Hong Kong.

The results come after Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said that public patience for the demonstrations, which have blocked buildings and roads and snarled traffic, is wearing thin. Student leaders have pledged to continue their street occupation after a first round of talks this week failed to address their demands for a freer election in 2017.

The proportion of people surveyed opposing the movement fell to 35.5 percent from 46.3 percent, according to the poll.

Much of the movements support comes from the young, with 62.1 percent of respondents 15 to 24 years of age backing the protests, compared with 28.4 percent of people in the 40 to 59 age bracket, according to the poll. In the September survey, 46.7 percent of those aged 15-24 supported the protests.

The purpose of the movement is to occupy with peace and non-violence, and this will encourage support, 18-year-old student leader Joshua Wong said in a telephone interview when asked for his response to the poll.

Student leaders met with government officials led by Chief Secretary Carrie Lam in televised talks on Oct. 21 that failed to produce a solution to the biggest challenge to Chinese sovereignty of Hong Kong since the end of colonial rule in 1997. The protesters are demanding that China reverse a decision to vet candidates for the citys leadership election in 2017 through a nominating committee.

While gaining support from young people, the protesters are facing opposition from truck and cab drivers, as the roadblocks at the three protest sites have disrupted as much as 40 percent of bus routes and affected daily takings.

Three injunctions against the protesters have been granted this week, with one filed by closely-held Chiu Luen Public Light Bus Company Ltd. against the demonstrators at Mong Kok, a popular shopping district.

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Local Support for Hong Kong Protesters Grows, Survey Says