Thousands of Hong Kong pro-democracy activists clashed with police early on Monday (December 1) as they tried to encircle government headquarters, defying orders from authorities to retreat after more than two months of demonstrations.<br/> <br />Chaos erupted as commuters made their way to work, with hundreds of protesters surrounding Admiralty Centre, which houses offices and retail outlets, in a tense stand-off with police. Many shops remained shut by mid-morning.<br/> <br />The latest flare-up blocked access to key roads and government offices were closed on Monday morning.<br/> <br />Riot police armed with batons and pepper spray charged protesters, forcing them off one road near government offices. Police had cleared that area more than a month ago during some of the most violent scenes since the demonstrations began in late September.<br/> <br />The democracy movement represents one of the biggest threats for China's Communist Party leadership since its bloody 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy studen
