Let reason prevail

WITH CHAOS FROM THE "OCCUPY CENTRAL" campaign beginning to rattle Hong Kong's financial markets, and disruptions to social order in the city now clearly evident, it is high time to let reason prevail again over recklessness.

The 2 percent plunge in the Hang Seng benchmark index on Tuesday, initial signs of capital outflows from the city, the temporary shutdown of dozens of business and bank outlets and massive disruption to traffic suggest the illegal campaign has begun to take its toll on not only the economy but also on social harmony and stability.

Worse, a grimmer scenario looms after "Occupy" organizers openly admitted that the crowds in the streets were now beyond their control.