demanding China grant them... fully democratic elections.

With more, we turn to Paul Yi at the News Center.

Paul, reports are coming out that much of the city was shut down today as well.

And it now appears the local authorities have scaled back their heavy handed response.

Well, the world is closely watching and the smoke from tear gas was no where to be seen

on this fifth day of demonstrations. Pro-democracy leaders have set Wednesday as

the deadline for the Chinese government to meet their demands... or else face further

civil unrest. But Hong Kong′s chief executive says Beijing

will not back down. Our Connie Kim has the story.

Speaking out for the first time since demonstrations flared up over the weekend,... Hong Kong′s

leader called on protesters to immediately end their rallies.

C.Y. Leung, the country′s chief executive said China will not be backing down from its

position on Hong Kong, and that Beijing′s decision falls under the basic law of one

person, one vote. But pro-democracy demonstrators appear to

be standing firm, and have now demanded that Leung step down.

Tuesday′s protests have been relatively calm following a police crackdown Sunday in

which police used pepper spray and tear gas on the protesters.

Schools and businesses around the government complex closed as thousands block the commercial

district of Causeway Bay to Central′s east... and across the harbor to Kowloon′s Mong

Kok. Over 50 people have been injured since the

protests flared up on Saturday. Demonstrators are demanding universal suffrage

in Hong Kong′s 2017 elections and that Beijing abandon its plan to vet candidates for the

post of chief executive.

"We have a simple message. It′s that we just want democracy and a fair voting of choosing

our chief executive of Hong Kong." Up until now, Beijing had been nominating

the chief executive. China was quick to warn other nations against

supporting what it calls "illegal rallies".

"We hope that related nations show a considerate stance regarding the protest in Hong Kong

and do not send out a wrong message to the protesters. "

However, the U.S. and Britain have both said the demonstrators′ rights should be protected

and the people of Hong Kong should be granted universal suffrage.

Connie Kim, Arirang News.