Hong Kong police use tear gas on pro-democracy protestors

Police in Hong Kong used tear gas and pepper spray to dispel thousands of pro-democracy protestors near a government building.

Protestors want the Chinese government to remove a rule whereby candidates for the 2017 Hong Kong chief executive election would have to be approved by a nominating committee. Activists have called this rule ‘undemocratic’.

However, Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung described the protests as ‘illegal’. In his first public statement since protests began a week ago, Leung said that the government has ‘been listening attentively to members of the public’ but warned that ‘resolute’ action would be taken against the ‘illegal demonstration’.

Protestors in Hong Kong blocked a busy road on Sunday and clashed with police after trying to join a mass sit-in in front of the government’s headquarters. The police used tear gas and pepper spray to drive protestors away from the headquarters. They eventually threw tear gas canisters into the crowd. On their part, the protestors defended themselves with umbrellas and face masks.

The protest began as a strike by students calling for democratic reforms but they have since been joined on the streets by protest movement Occupy Central.

“A lot of students left as soon as Occupy made the announcement they were starting their occupation," said university graduate Vito Leung.

"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."

Around 34 people have been injured during these protests, including four police officers and 11 government staff, Hong Kong authorities said.