Riot police cleared a Hong Kong pro-democracy protest zone in a dawn raid, taking down barricades, tents and canopies that have blocked key streets for more than two weeks.

The crowds of protesters who filled Hong Kong’s streets thinned dramatically today after student leaders and the territory’s government agreed to hold talks to discuss protesters’ demands regarding electoral reforms.

Passionate, student-led protests for democratic reforms over the past week in Hong Kong subsided today as many residents returned to work.

Hong Kong's embattled leader has attended a ceremony to mark China's National Day after refusing to meet pro-democracy demonstrators.