China
30 November 2014
Last updated at 20:21 ET
It is some of the worst violence since the protests began two months ago.
There are reports of injuries and arrests, while activists are still blocking one of the major roads.
The protesters want Hong Kong people to be allowed to choose their leaders without interference from Beijing.
The Chinese government has said it will allow universal suffrage for the region's elections in 2017 - but will screen candidates in advance.
The protests were stepped up after police began demolishing one of several camps occupied by the activists during two months of demonstrations.
The latest clashes come as China said it would not allow a UK parliamentary committee to enter Hong Kong as part of an inquiry into British relations with its former colony.
Police charged on the protesters, using batons and pepper spray
A number of protesters were reportedly arrested during the clashes
Student leaders have called for an escalation of the protests
Government 'stalling'
The protests began with a rally on Sunday evening, as student leaders told crowds they would escalate their campaign.
Police later charged at the protesters, attempting to beat them back as they poured into a major road near the offices of Chief Executive CY Leung.
Many activists chanted: "I want true democracy!"
"The action was aimed at paralysing the government's operation,'' student leader Alex Chow said, quoted by the Associated Press.
"The government has been stalling... and we believe we need to focus pressure on the government headquarters, the symbol of the government's power.''
However, police said they were determined to clear the road.
Last week more than 100 people - including some key protest leaders - were arrested as a camp in the Mong Kok commercial district - across the harbour from Admiralty - was dismantled.
Hong Kong democracy timeline
by Xian Wan and Biodun Iginla, BBC News, Hong Kong
Journalist Tom Grundy was at the protests and witnessed multiple injuries on both sides
Hong
Kong pro-democracy activists have clashed with police as thousands of
people tried to surround the government's headquarters.
Protesters carrying umbrellas, the symbol of their movement,
fought police armed with pepper spray and batons at the main protest
camp in Admiralty.It is some of the worst violence since the protests began two months ago.
There are reports of injuries and arrests, while activists are still blocking one of the major roads.
The protesters want Hong Kong people to be allowed to choose their leaders without interference from Beijing.
The Chinese government has said it will allow universal suffrage for the region's elections in 2017 - but will screen candidates in advance.
The protests were stepped up after police began demolishing one of several camps occupied by the activists during two months of demonstrations.
The latest clashes come as China said it would not allow a UK parliamentary committee to enter Hong Kong as part of an inquiry into British relations with its former colony.
Police charged on the protesters, using batons and pepper spray
A number of protesters were reportedly arrested during the clashes
Student leaders have called for an escalation of the protests
Police later charged at the protesters, attempting to beat them back as they poured into a major road near the offices of Chief Executive CY Leung.
Many activists chanted: "I want true democracy!"
"The action was aimed at paralysing the government's operation,'' student leader Alex Chow said, quoted by the Associated Press.
"The government has been stalling... and we believe we need to focus pressure on the government headquarters, the symbol of the government's power.''
However, police said they were determined to clear the road.
Last week more than 100 people - including some key protest leaders - were arrested as a camp in the Mong Kok commercial district - across the harbour from Admiralty - was dismantled.
- 1984: Britain and China sign an agreement where Hong Kong is guaranteed "a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs" for 50 years following the handover in 1997.
- June-July 2014: Pro-democracy activists hold an unofficial referendum on political reform and a large rally. This is followed by protests by pro-Beijing activists.
- 31 August 2014: China says it will allow direct elections in 2017, but voters will only be able to choose from a list of pre-approved candidates. Activists stage protests.
- 22 September 2014: Student groups launch a week-long boycott of classes in protest.
- 28 September 2014: Occupy Central and student protests join forces and take over central Hong Kong.
- October 2014: Chief Executive CY Leung refuses demands for his resignation. Discussions between government and student leaders go nowhere. High court begins granting injunctions to clear protest sites.
- 15 November 2014: Student leaders' attempt to travel to Beijing fails.
- 18 November 2014: Bailiffs move in to clear a portion of the Admiralty protest site.
- 26 November: More than 100 arrests during clearance of Mong Kok site.
- 2017: Direct elections for chief executive due to take place
HK protests
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Images from Hong Kong where pro-democracy protests have inspired a creative outpouring on the streets, the BBC's John Sudworth says.
Protest art
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Who are protesters?
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Protests in 60 secs
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Democracy debate
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Kenny G visits protests
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Chinese democracy
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Detained activists
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Messages on the wall
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Protest symbols
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Gracie: What I'd ask Leung
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Umbrella as icon
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The app beating the censors
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