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Hong Kong protesters clash with riot police Hong Kong: Tear gas and clashes at democracy protest
(35 minutes later)
Pro-democracy protesters have been clashing with riot police Hong Kong, defying calls by the authorities to halt their "illegal" action. Hong Kong police have used tear gas to disperse pro-democracy protesters outside the main government building, after a week of escalating tensions.
Demonstrators tried to push through a police barricade, reports say. Pepper spray was used to dispel them. Earlier, demonstrators trying to push through police barricades were repelled by pepper spray.
The protesters want China to scrap restrictions on the election of the territory's next leader. The protesters want China to end restrictions on the election of the territory's next leader.
Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung says the elections will go ahead as planned - but promised further consultations. Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung has urged people to keep away from what he called an "illegal" demonstration.
In his first public statement since the protests began, Mr Leung said he and his government had "been listening attentively to members of [the] public". The protesters want the Chinese government to scrap rules that would allow it to vet the chief executive elected in 2017. They also want the resumption of public consultation on democratic reforms.
He promised a further round of consultations but said "resolute" action would be taken against what he described as an illegal demonstration. In his first public statement since the protests began, Mr Leung said the elections would go ahead as planned - but promised further consultations.
Thousands joined a sit-in outside government headquarters this weekend, bolstering a week-old protest. He said he and his government had "been listening attentively to members of [the] public".
The initial protest began as a strike by students, calling for democratic reforms. Mr Leung promised a further round of consultations but said "resolute" action would be taken against what he described as an illegal demonstration.
Thousands joined a sit-in outside government headquarters this weekend, bolstering a week-old protest, which began as a strike by students calling for democratic reforms.
On Saturday night, the leader of Occupy Central, another protest movement, brought forward a planned action to merge it with the sit-in by the students outside the central government building.On Saturday night, the leader of Occupy Central, another protest movement, brought forward a planned action to merge it with the sit-in by the students outside the central government building.
The movement has called for the Chinese government to scrap rules that would allow it to vet the chief executive elected in 2017. It also wants the resumption of public consultation on democratic reforms.
A statement by the movement said Mr Leung had "failed to deliver on political reform".A statement by the movement said Mr Leung had "failed to deliver on political reform".
The protesters had also called for further talks but it is not clear how far - if at all - Mr Leung's mention of further consultations will be seen as recognising their demands.The protesters had also called for further talks but it is not clear how far - if at all - Mr Leung's mention of further consultations will be seen as recognising their demands.
Occupy Central had originally planned to paralyse the central business district on Wednesday, but organisers advanced the protest and changed the location in an apparent bid to harness momentum from student protests outside the government complex. Occupy Central had originally planned to paralyse the central business district next Wednesday, but organisers advanced the protest and changed the location in an apparent bid to harness momentum from student protests outside the government complex.
Student activists had stormed into a courtyard of the complex late on Friday and scuffled with police using pepper spray.Student activists had stormed into a courtyard of the complex late on Friday and scuffled with police using pepper spray.
Police said they made more than 60 arrests including prominent student activist leader Joshua Wong.Police said they made more than 60 arrests including prominent student activist leader Joshua Wong.
The BBC's Juliana Liu in Hong Kong says that, even before Mr Tai's announcement, thousands had arrived spontaneously to support the demonstration by students. The BBC's Juliana Liu in Hong Kong says that thousands had arrived spontaneously to support the demonstration by students.
Those outside the government buildings plan to stay until they are forcibly removed, she says.Those outside the government buildings plan to stay until they are forcibly removed, she says.
However, some students expressed unease that their protest was apparently being taken over by Occupy Central.However, some students expressed unease that their protest was apparently being taken over by Occupy Central.
"A lot of students left as soon as Occupy made the announcement they were starting their occupation," said university graduate Vito Leung, 24."A lot of students left as soon as Occupy made the announcement they were starting their occupation," said university graduate Vito Leung, 24.
"I think they were really forcing it. This was always a separate student movement with similar goals but different directions. I don't think it should be brought together like this.""I think they were really forcing it. This was always a separate student movement with similar goals but different directions. I don't think it should be brought together like this."
Unrest began when the Chinese government announced that candidates for the 2017 chief executive election would first have to be approved by a nominating committee.Unrest began when the Chinese government announced that candidates for the 2017 chief executive election would first have to be approved by a nominating committee.
Activists have argued that this does not amount to true democracy.Activists have argued that this does not amount to true democracy.
Many of those who spent the night on the streets wore plastic raincoats and goggles in case police deployed more pepper spray.
Riot police stood nearby.
"The courage of the students and members of the public in their spontaneous decision to stay has touched many Hong Kong people," Occupy Central said in a statement.
"Yet the government has remained unmoved. As the wheel of time has reached this point, we have decided to arise and act."
At least 34 people have been injured since the protests began, including four police officers and 11 government staff and guards, authorities said.At least 34 people have been injured since the protests began, including four police officers and 11 government staff and guards, authorities said.
Hong Kong democracy timelineHong Kong democracy timeline
Q&A: Hong Kong's democracy controversyQ&A: Hong Kong's democracy controversy
Are you in Hong Kong? Have you been affected by the issues in this story? Have you taken part in the protests? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in Hong Kong? Have you been affected by the issues in this story? Have you taken part in the protests? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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