Since the 1997 handover of Hong Kong to China, the semi-autonomous city has operated under a "one country, two systems" formula, allowing a limited democracy. In August, the Chinese government announced plans to vet candidates in Hong Kong's 2017 elections, virtually assuring only pro-Beijing politicians would be on the ballots. Student groups and pro-democracy supporters have taken to the streets in recent days to protest the limitations and to demand universal suffrage. Tens of thousands of demonstrators have occupied Hong Kong's Central District, bringing parts of the city to a standstill. The protests are one of the largest political challenges to Beijing since the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. Chinese officials have scolded protesters and warned against any foreign interference.
Pro-Democracy Protesters Occupy Hong Kong's Central District
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A protester raises his umbrellas in front of tear gas which was fired by riot police to disperse protesters blocking the main street to the Central district outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong, on September 28, 2014. Hong Kong police used tear gas to disperse pro-democracy protests and baton-charged the crowd blocking a key road in the government district after Hong Kong and Chinese officials warned against illegal demonstrations. #
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A protester throws an umbrella at riot police as fellow demonstrators blocked the main street to the financial Central district outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong on September 29, 2014. Some Hong Kong financial firms advised staff to work from home on Monday or go to secondary offices after thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators blocked parts of the city and clashed with police. #
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Riot police fire teargas to disperse protesters in Hong Kong on September 29, 2014. Riot police advanced on Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters in the early hours of Monday, firing volleys of tear gas that sent some fleeing as others erected barricades to block the security forces in the heart of the former British colony. #
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Thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators gather outside Hong Kong's government headquarters on September 28, 2014, braced for another night of confrontations with authorities. #
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A protester raises placards that read "Occupy Central" and "Civil disobedience" in front of riot policemen outside the government headquarter in Hong Kong on September 27, 2014. #
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Police officers stand guard as students carry a defaced cutout of Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying during a protest march to his residence in Hong Kong on September 25, 2014. #
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A secondary school student wears a yellow ribbon pinned to her T-shirt during a rally against Beijing's election framework for Hong Kong, outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong on September 26, 2014. #
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A student pro-democracy protester covers his face in plastic wrap to protect against pepper spray during a stand-off with local police on September 29, 2014 in Hong Kong. #
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Protesters wear masks and goggles to protect themselves from pepper spray while blocking a police car outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong on September 28, 2014. #
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Protesters take cover from pepper spray with umbrellas as riot police clash with tens of thousands of protesters blocking the main street leading to the financial Central district outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong on September 28, 2014. #
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A Malaysian activist holds a placard and a candle during a rally in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to support pro-democracy protests taking place in Hong Kong on September 29, 2014. #
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Protestors and student demonstrators hold up their cellphones in a display of solidarity during a protest outside the headquarters of Legislative Council in Hong Kong on September 29, 2014. #
Xaume Olleros/AFP/Getty Images
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