protests in the government district of the city.

Hong Kong and Chinese officials warned against illegal protests, but chanting pro-democracy

protesters converged on police barricades. The protesters' aim was to use civil disobedience

to pressure Beijing into granting full democracy to Hong Kong.

But they were greeted by police in formation five lines deep who used pepper spray, baton

charges and tear gas to scatter the crowds several hundred metres. Authorities said that

the situation was handled "in accordance with the law".

The unrest started last month when Beijing rejected demands for people to freely choose

the city's next leader, prompting activists to threaten to shut down the centre of the city.