Hong Kong police have used tear gas to disperse thousands of pro-democracy protesters near the government complex, after a week of escalating tensions.

Dozens of demonstrators were arrested, with hundreds remaining in the city centre late on Sunday.

Protesters want the Chinese government to scrap rules allowing it to vet Hong Kong's top leader in the 2017 poll.

Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung said the demonstration was "illegal" and elections would go ahead as planned.

China has also condemned the protest, and offered "its strong backing" to the Hong Kong government.
Regrouping

Protesters blocked a busy road that runs through the heart of Hong Kong's financial district on Sunday, clashing with police as they tried to join a mass sit-in outside government headquarters.

Police used pepper spray and shot tear gas into the air to drive back the protesters, who defended themselves with umbrellas and face masks.

As evening fell, the police lobbed tear gas canisters into the crowd, scattering some of the protesters.

But many of the demonstrators regrouped and retreated to a nearby park.

BBC