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Hong Kong (AFP) - Fresh clashes broke out at Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests early Sunday with riot police using batons and pepper spray to fight back demonstrators, as student leaders reopened the door to talks with the government.

With the protest movement entering its seventh night, tens of thousands of Hong Kongers gathered for a peace rally in the downtown Admiralty district near the government headquarters chanting "Peace! Anti-violence!" and singing democracy anthems.

But across the harbour in the city's densely packed Mong Kok district tensions flared anew, as crowds of baying protesters surrounded police, accusing them of cooperating with gangsters, according to AFP reporters at the scene. Police responded with pepper spray.

Pro-democracy protesters have taken to Hong Kong's streets all week to demand the right to nominate who can run as their next leader in 2017 elections. Beijing insists only candidates it has approved will be able to stand.

Student leaders said early Sunday that they would meet the government if certain conditions were met, having scrapped planned negotiations the previous day over anger at police actions in earlier clashes.

In Mong Kok, a working-class district of shops and residences that was also the site of ugly scenes Friday, furious protesters claimed anti-democracy agitators from the city's triad mobs were being arrested -- only to be released back into the crowds again.

"The police have been cooperating with gangsters," said David Chan, a 22-year-old student.

"We have witnessed the police letting go of the gangsters. That's why the peaceful protesters are so angry, We have no trust in them any more."

- Students 'willing to talk' -

Hong Kong's main student union, HKFS, said in a statement: "The government should investigate why the police were so lax in enforcement, accusations of helping criminals and to give an explanation to the public as soon as possible."

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Huge Hong Kong peace rally after democracy protesters attacked

After a night of unrest, pro-Beijing supporters faced off with pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong's Mong Kok neighborhood. (Reuters)

HONG KONG They called it the Lucky Supply Station, a small mountain of donated goods nestled under a bridge near the heart of Hong Kongs protests.

All week long, a hardy band of pro-democracy demonstrators had manned the little way station at the easternmost edge of the main protest site.

With little sleep and few breaks, they and others at stations throughout the site distributed food and water to protesters and protected their supplies from rain, sweltering heat, police and opponents of the protests.

At night, the team took turns sleeping on the supply cartons to prevent authorities from dismantling their station.

The first night, demonstrators were filled with anger after an assault by police with tear gas, pepper spray and batons. Then came the exhilaration of ensuing nights, as thousands of people poured into the streets to join their cause.

By Friday, however, only exhaustion and frustration remained as torrential rain and flagging morale depleted the ranks of those at the station.

People are getting tired and cranky, sighed William Chan, as the lanky 17-year-old sprawled out on a crate of bottled water.

Squabbles had flared in recent days among competing factions of protesters over the next steps in their fight for unrestricted voting rights, he noted. Public opinion which had swung toward the students after the polices tear-gas attack was also now rapidly turning against them as their occupation continued to paralyze large sections of the city.

Gangs of masked men had stormed other occupation sites and pummeled protesters, trying to chase them off the street.

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For Hong Kongs pro-democracy activists, exhaustion overtakes enthusiasm and hope

Bolstered by a massive rally overnight, Hong Kong's pro-democracy activists were defiant on the eighth day of protests Sunday in the face of attacks by opponents and government warnings to clear the business district streets they have occupied to press their demand for reforms.

"Democracy now! Democracy in Hong Kong!" thousands chanted as speakers from the movement seeking wider political reforms for this former British colony urged them to persist in their campaign. The rally lasted hours, with participants at times clapping and cheering as a stream of speakers and singers addressed them and performed popular songs.

"We are not seeking revolution. We just want democracy!" said Joshua Wong, a 17-year-old student leader. "We hope there will be no violence," he said. "It would be unfortunate if this movement ended with bloodshed and violence."

The night passed peacefully despite fears that police would act to clear out the protesters. The city's top leader, Chief Secretary Leung Chun-ying, appeared on television Saturday evening to once again urge everyone to go home, saying things needed to get back to normal by Monday. The protests are demanding Leung's resignation, but he has refused.

Standoffs between the protesters and their antagonists grew ugly Saturday, as the two sides traded insults and at times taunted police. In Mong Kong, some shouted go back to the mainland, and yelled curses at those challenging the blocking of a street. Adding to the disorder, some residents dumped water from their apartments onto the people below.

First published October 4 2014, 6:48 PM

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Hong Kong Protesters Hold Huge, Defiant Rally