By BBC
Thousands of protesters and police in Hong Kong are engaged in a stand-off as anger grows over a bill which would allow extradition to mainland China.
Early on Wednesday protesters, some wearing face masks and helmets, blocked key roads around government buildings. Police in riot gear responded by using pepper spray on protesters to disperse them and said they were prepared to use force.
The Legislative Council (LegCo) has now delayed the second reading of the bill. The pro-Beijing LegCo said Wednesday's scheduled meeting would instead be held at an unspecified "later time". Despite the opposition the government is continuing to push for the extradition bill and it is expected to pass its final vote on June 20.
Thousands of protesters - mostly young people and students - took to the streets and attempted to block access to government buildings ahead of the scheduled debate of the bill.
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