Hong Kong's Long-Running Political Dispute About The Pace Of Democratic Reforms Has Escalated Into The Worst Social Unrest Since Britain Returned The Territory To Chinese Rule In 1997. Tens Of Thousands Of Protesters Gathered In The Streets Around Hong Kong's Government Headquarters And Other Districts Late Sunday, In a Show Of Anger At Beijing's Recent Decision To Rule Out A Free Choice Of Candidates For The City's Next Leadership Election In 2017.