The Hong Kong government has shelved highly anticipated talks with student leaders after the latter pledged to continue or even escalate disruptions to the public.

The students said they will carry out their threat unless the talks lead to substantial progress being made on their demands for how the city's leader should be elected in 2017.

Hong Kong's Chief Secretary Carrie Lam said on Thursday that the high-level task force in charge of electoral reform, which had become disappointed and frustrated by the students' recent remarks, decided that the basis for constructive talks has been undermined.