Chief Executive Carrie Lam's deafening silence in recent months may be a sign that she is paving the way to get out of this ballooning political crisis for both herself and Hong Kong, some observers believe, adding that she is working behind the scenes to ease tensions.

When the anti-extradition Bill protests, which started in March, blew up in June when the Bill was to be read a second time, Mrs Lam had sought to strike a more conciliatory tone and apologised to the public twice in a span of three days. She then vowed to shelve the Bill, improve citizens' lives and do better in her remaining three years as Chief Executive.