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| Hong Kong democracy protesters seek National Day boost | Hong Kong democracy protesters seek National Day boost |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Thousands more people have been joining pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, ahead of what organisers hope will be the largest day of protests so far. | Thousands more people have been joining pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, ahead of what organisers hope will be the largest day of protests so far. |
| Tens of thousands of people have been blocking parts of the city for days. | |
| They are demanding that China withdraw plans to vet candidates for the next leadership election in 2017. | They are demanding that China withdraw plans to vet candidates for the next leadership election in 2017. |
| Current leader CY Leung has urged the protesters to go home, and Chinese President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed Beijing's influence on the territory. | |
| Mr Xi told party leaders in Beijing that his government would "unswervingly implement the guidelines of 'one country, two systems' and the Basic Law, and steadfastly safeguard the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macau". | |
| The streets were relatively quiet on Tuesday but thousands flocked the protest camps as night fell. | |
| The demonstrators - who include students, supporters of the Occupy Central group and others angered by the police response - said they were confident that they would step up the protests for Wednesday's National Day holiday, which marks the anniversary of the founding of Communist China. | The demonstrators - who include students, supporters of the Occupy Central group and others angered by the police response - said they were confident that they would step up the protests for Wednesday's National Day holiday, which marks the anniversary of the founding of Communist China. |
| "I think there will be a massive turnout, over 100,000 people tonight and leading into National Day," Occupy Central activist Ed Chin told AFP news agency. | "I think there will be a massive turnout, over 100,000 people tonight and leading into National Day," Occupy Central activist Ed Chin told AFP news agency. |
| "We are not afraid of riot police.... We will not leave until Leung Chun-ying resigns,'' student leader Lester Shum told the crowd. | "We are not afraid of riot police.... We will not leave until Leung Chun-ying resigns,'' student leader Lester Shum told the crowd. |
| Carrie Gracie, BBC News China editor, Hong Kong | |
| "We want a real vote" is the chant heard in the heart of Hong Kong, which the protesters have renamed Democracy Square. A crowd many thousands-strong stretched in every direction, using their mobile phones to create a sea of dancing light. | |
| It is the third night of protests and the demonstrators were exhilarated by facing down riot police. In a show of civic pride, many had spent the day sorting rubbish. | |
| Others painted democracy slogans on the umbrellas that protected them from police pepper spray on Sunday and that have now become the motif for their movement. | |
| China's National Day is a test of strength that all sides will be watching closely. If the numbers on the street allow the protesters to say they have won the hearts and minds of the general public, Beijing will have to start thinking of a way to end this which avoids either loss of face or violence. | |
| The protests began at the weekend, and police responded with tear gas and pepper spray. Police later withdrew and protesters have remained calm. | |
| Not everyone in Hong Kong backs the protests. Some fear the ongoing demonstrations could affect relations with Beijing or hit the economy of the financial hub. | Not everyone in Hong Kong backs the protests. Some fear the ongoing demonstrations could affect relations with Beijing or hit the economy of the financial hub. |
| Britain handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula that guarantees liberties not seen on the mainland, including freedom of speech and the right to protest. | Britain handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula that guarantees liberties not seen on the mainland, including freedom of speech and the right to protest. |
| Beijing ruled last month that Hong Kong people could elect their next leader in 2017, but the choice of candidates will be restricted to two or three people who must be approved by the majority of a pro-Beijing committee - meaning Beijing can effectively screen candidates. | Beijing ruled last month that Hong Kong people could elect their next leader in 2017, but the choice of candidates will be restricted to two or three people who must be approved by the majority of a pro-Beijing committee - meaning Beijing can effectively screen candidates. |
| News of the protests is being heavily censored in mainland China. Media have blamed "radical opposition forces" for stirring up trouble. | News of the protests is being heavily censored in mainland China. Media have blamed "radical opposition forces" for stirring up trouble. |
| Analysts say Communist Party leaders in Beijing are worried that calls for democracy could spread to cities on the mainland, putting them in a very difficult position. | Analysts say Communist Party leaders in Beijing are worried that calls for democracy could spread to cities on the mainland, putting them in a very difficult position. |
| Hong Kong democracy timeline | Hong Kong democracy timeline |
| Q&A: Hong Kong's democracy controversy | Q&A: Hong Kong's democracy controversy |
| Are you affected by the protests? Get in contact by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you affected by the protests? Get in contact 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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