Hundreds of pro-democracy campaigners
are camped out on the streets of Hong Kong ahead of a government deadline for
them to withdraw.
Many suspect that police will try to remove them by force in the coming
hours.
Hong Kong's leader says public offices and schools will open on Monday, and
social order will be restored.
The protesters are angry at China's plans to vet candidates when Hong Kong
holds elections in 2017.
They are demanding that the central government in Beijing allow a fully free
vote for the territory's leader.
Protest groups have denied blocking entrances to government headquarters and
insisted civil servants could return to work without obstruction.
The BBC's John Sudworth in Hong Kong says some want to hold out for tangible
gains, while others fear tear-gas, rubber bullets and arrest, and think it is
time to turn to dialogue.
Earlier the groups said they would agree to the government's offer of talks
if attacks on them were investigated and protest sites were not forcefully
cleared.
But discussions about opening a formal dialogue faltered after the sides
failed to agree on basic principles on which the talks should be held.
Hope for talks.
Our correspondent says numbers have dwindled in recent days, as many do not
relish a brave last stand in the face of an expected forceful eviction by
police.
Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung had called on the protesters to end the
demonstrations, warning that police had a responsibility to take all actions
necessary to resume social order.
The Hong Kong Federation of Students (HKFS) said it had always maintained
access to the government headquarters, adding that there was no reason for
employees not to return to work on Monday.
Thousands of people attended a
pro-democracy rally on Saturday but the crowds were smaller on Sunday
Hong Kong's leader said police
had a responsibility to restore social order if protesters refused to go home
At the scene: Julianna Liu, BBC
News, Mong Kok
After days of tension, a measure of calm has come to the commercial district
of Mong Kok, the site of sometimes violent confrontations between pro-democracy
activists and counter-protesters.
Earlier, there were scenes of confusion when, under pressure from an
unfriendly crowd, a student leader announced on live television that
demonstrators would pack up and leave the area, moving to the main protest site
in Admiralty and ceding ground to their opponents.
It was seen as a blow to the sit-in movement.
That group left. But others refused to leave and soon took its place.
Members from a more radical pro-democracy group called Civic Passion arrived,
as did lawmaker Raymond Wong and his supporters.
Out of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.
Steve Hui, Hong Kong Police: "To restore the public order we
are determined, and we are confident, we have the capability to take any
necessary action"
Both the Hong Kong government and protesters indicated on Sunday that they
were willing to start talks to find a resolution to the week-long standoff.
AFP news agency reported that student leader Lester Shum had met mid-ranking
officials to set conditions for a meeting, but apparently without result.
Talks had originally been scheduled for Saturday, but protesters withdrew
after the attacks on Friday night, which were mainly in the Mong Kok
district.
Some of the protesters in Mong Kok appeared to be leaving the site on Sunday,
saying they were joining the main protest group outside government buildings in
the Admiralty district.
However, others decided to stay put.
Thousands of people held a rally overnight, defying calls from the
Beijing-backed authorities for them to disperse.
Crowds chanted: "Democracy now! Democracy in Hong Kong!" as speakers from the
pro-democracy movement urged them to persist in their campaign.
'Doomed to fail'
What began as a peaceful sit-in to demand democracy on 22 September escalated
last Sunday when riot police used tear gas against unarmed students converging
on the government headquarters.
The police response was widely condemned as an overreaction, prompting
thousands of people to join the rallies and block key areas, including Hong
Kong's financial district.
At the heart of the row between the protesters and the government is China's
insistence on tight rules on nominations for candidates wanting to stand for
election in 2017.
The protesters say the restrictions mean the polls will fall short of the
free elections they are seeking and have called for Mr Leung to step down.
But the central government in Beijing has thrown its full support behind Mr
Leung, calling the protests illegal and "doomed to fail".
Hong Kong democracy
timeline
- 1997: UK gives Hong Kong back to China under a 1984 agreement giving it "a high degree of autonomy" for 50 years
- 2004: China says it must approve any changes to Hong Kong's election laws
- June-July 2014: Pro-democracy activists hold an unofficial referendum on political reform; both sides hold large rallies
- 31 August 2014: China says it will allow direct elections in 2017 but will pre-approve candidates
- 22 September 2014: Student groups launch a week-long boycott of classes
- 28 September 2014: Occupy Central and student protests join forces and take over central Hong Kong
- 2017: Direct elections for chief executive due to take place
- 2047: Expiry of current agreements
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