http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-29418179

Day 2,505, 12:19 Published in North Macedonia Serbia by boony1

Protests in Hong Kong are continuing after tens of thousands of people defied calls for them to dismantle their camps and return home.

Demonstrations grew after police tried to disperse crowds using batons and tear gas in the early hours of Monday morning. Riot police later withdrew.

The pro-democracy protesters are angry at China for limiting their choice in Hong Kong's 2017 leadership elections.

China has warned other countries not to support the "illegal rallies".

The protesters - a mix of students and members of the Occupy Central civil disobedience movement - want Beijing to abandon its plans to vet candidates for the post of chief executive in the 2017 polls.

They want a free choice of candidates. Until now the chief executive has essentially been selected under a pro-Beijing mechanism.

Response from West
On Monday, the British government called for the right to protest to be protected and for protesters to exercise their right within the law.

That call was echoed by the US, with White House spokesman Josh Earnest calling on Hong Kong's authorities to show restraint.

"The United States supports universal suffrage in Hong Kong in accordance with the Basic Law and we support the aspirations of the Hong Kong people," Mr Earnest told reporters.