
BEIJING—
Hong Kong’s government Monday indicated it would be taking a harder line toward the protesters.
Hong Kong’s chief executive warned protesters not to return to the streets after they and police clashed early Monday outside government headquarters.
The clashes occurred in central Hong Kong after hundreds of demonstrators stormed past police lines early Monday in a bid to occupy a major road in the Admiralty district.
Hundreds of riot police armed with pepper spray and batons pushed back, injuring several protesters and arresting at least 18.
Protesters are demanding direct elections of the city’s leader in 2017.
The city’s chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, warned protesters from returning to the area around the government offices, saying police had been tolerant but would now take “resolute action,” suggesting that patience may have finally run out.