Thousands more people are joining pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong before what organisers are confident will be the largest day so far, on China's National Day public holiday.
Demonstrators rejected demands to end rallies and numbers in the downtown area swelled. Photo: AFP
Protesters ignored a call from the city's embattled leader to end the sit-in, as well as Beijing's branding of their demonstrations as "illegal", to take to the streets of the key financial hub.
A heavy downpour briefly sent umbrellas skyward and crowds scurrying, but the prospect of bad weather left the crowds undeterred.
Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters shelter from the rain. Photo: AFP
The protesters are demanding that China withdraw plans to vet candidates for the next leadership election in 2017.
Current leader Leung Chun-ying has urged the protesters to go home, and Chinese President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed Beijing's influence on the territory.
There was a carnival atmosphere among demonstrators on Tuesday, in contrast to weekend clashes when riot police fired pepper spray and tear gas to quell the unrest. The streets were relatively quiet but thousands flocked the protest camps as night fell.
The demonstrators include students and supporters of the Occupy Central group and said they were confident they would step up the protests for Wednesday's National Day holiday, which marks the anniversary of the founding of Communist China.
The degree of overall support for the protesters among the 7.2 million who live in the territory is unclear, the BBC reports. Some residents fear the demonstrations could affect relations with Beijing or hit the economy of the financial hub.