democracy protests

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress unanimously approved a law that will cut the number of district representatives for Hong Kong residents.

With the territory's leader, Leung Chun-ying, refusing to step down, some demonstrators say they will move next to occupy key government buildings.

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying says Beijing will not accede to demonstrators' demands for democratic reforms. Meanwhile, activists have vowed a new phase of civil disobedience on Wednesday.

As thousands of people throng Hong Kong's financial district to protest for democratic reforms, many wonder whether Beijing will crack down.

Thousands of protesters used umbrellas to deflect tear gas canisters as authorities tried unsuccessfully to break up demonstrations in the city's Central business district.

Video footage from earlier in the day showed protesters using umbrellas to try to deflect pepper spray and water cannons as officers attempted to disperse the crowd.