The hundreds of students who crowded the streets of Hong Kong to protest the controlled form of a democracy being perpetuated by China have decreased, but both sides are now ready to talk.

The government has agreed to sit down and talk to the students, The New York Times reported.

A preliminary discussion on Tuesday between the two parties promised a dialogue about the future of democracy, which is set to take place Friday.

But the talks have already been limited as the government officials said the debate could only address how to change the electoral system within the current framework of the Basic Law, the mini-constitution that governs Hong Kong.

The Basic Law aligns with the laws of the Chinese Communist Party.

The current process involves the idea of an autonomous state, headed by Hong Kong's top official, the chief executive, who is chosen by China.

First China vets the candidates and selects its own list, of which the suitable candidates can then be elected to office by the voters in Hong Kong.

Lau Kong-wah, Hong Kong's undersecretary of constitutional and mainland affairs, said it is still a "constitutional development," New York Times reported.

But the students want to be able to vote on candidates that residents choose as well, not just the Communist Party picks.

"The government is insincere," said Lester Shum, deputy secretary general of the Hong Kong Federation of Students. "I hope when we actually meet, they can directly face Hong Kong's political issues."

The protests have thinned since they first started, and captured the world's attention, late last month when authorities were seen throwing tear gas at students armed with face masks, goggles and umbrellas.

The nicknames Occupy Central and Umbrella Revolution were given to the protests, as both names picked up as popular hashtags on social media.

Current chief executive Leung Chun-ying, was also a target of the protests as students rallied for his resignation.