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Hong Kong police clear out democracy protesters

POLICE in Hong Kong cleared hundreds of protesters from the city’s financial district early today, preventing a dummy run for a more substantial planned action.

Demonstrators had intended to occupy an avenue running through the heart of the city until 8am, just before the height of rush hour, as a rehearsal for a larger demonstration planned by the group Occupy Central.

The protest would shut down the financial district if the Hong Kong government failed to come up with satisfactory democratic reforms.

Police arrested 511 people who staged an unauthorised overnight sit-in on the avenue.

The arrests followed Tuesday’s massive protest march to mark the 1997 return of Hong Kong to China after over a century of British colonial rule.

Marchers’ numbers were boosted by publication of a cabinet white paper stating that Hong Kong autonomy is not inherent but is authorised by the central government.

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