Hong Kong police used pepper spray to disperse prodemocracy activists on Monday as the Asian financial center braces for a wave of disruptive protests against China's decision to rule out full democracy.
China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee set the stage for a political showdown on Sunday when it rejected democrats' demands for the right to freely choose Hong Kong's next leader in 2017, leading scores of protesters to take to the streets.
Scuffles broke out on Monday during a tense standoff at the entrance to a center where a senior Chinese official was explaining Beijing's decision, prompting police to use pepper spray amid chaotic scenes inside and outside the venue.