Thousands of protesters occupy the main street leading to the financial Central district.(Reuters)
United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday urged Chinese authorities and Hong Kong protesters to peacefully resolve their differences after riot police fired tear gas at pro-democracy protesters.
The UN secretary general "understands that this is a domestic matter, but urges all stakeholders to resolve any difference in a manner that is peaceful and safeguards democratic principles," said his spokesman.
Thousands of Hong Kong demonstrators rejected demands from the city's chief executive Leung Chun-ying to end rallies seen as the most intense civil unrest since the 1997 handover from British rule.
On Sunday, riot police fired clouds of tear gas at the protesters who are opposing a Beijing decision to vet candidates ahead of the election in 2017 of the city's next leader.
The United States on Monday called for restraint and British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg on Tuesday said he will summon the Chinese ambassador to hear his "dismay and alarm" about the elections decision.