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Dozens of pro-democracy activists disrputed a briefing on Monday by a senior Chinese official who had been sent to Hong Kong to explain a ruling on Hong Kong's election. (Reuters)

September 1 at 7:42 PM

HONG KONG Hong Kong police used pepper spray to disperse pro-democracy activists Monday as the Asian financial center braced for a wave of protests against Chinas decision to rule out full democracy.

On Sunday, the Standing Committee of Chinas National Peoples Congress (NPC) set the stage for a political showdown when it decided against letting voters freely choose Hong Kongs next leader in 2017, leading scores of protesters to take to the streets.

Scuffles broke out Monday during a standoff at the entrance to a center where a senior Chinese official was explaining Beijings decision, prompting police to use pepper spray amid chaotic scenes inside and outside the venue.

Activists from the Occupy Central With Love and Peace movement have threatened to lock down Hong Kongs financial district unless Beijing grants full democracy.

Occupy Central is an illegal activity. If we give in, it will trigger more illegal activities, said Li Fei, deputy secretary general of the NPC Standing Committee, who flew to Hong Kong to explain Beijings decision.

Pro-democracy activists inside the building heckled Li, shouting slogans and interrupting his speech.

Since Britain handed control of Hong Kong back to China in 1997, the territory has enjoyed wide-ranging autonomy and freedoms of the kind not seen on the mainland under a policy of one country, two systems.

The activists want universal suffrage, but Communist Party rulers in Beijing say any candidate for the territorys chief executive has to be first approved by a nominating panel likely to be stacked with Beijing loyalists and making it almost impossible for an opposition democrat to get on the ballot.

Original post:
Protests in Hong Kong after China rules out full democracy