Politician Raymond Chan has brought up the possibility of pro-Beijing lawmakers arriving at the Legislative Council building - where protesters are currently camping out - through a secret passage.

Protesters outside the government headquarters have begun a mass chant, shouting "anti-extradition law", according to this video by local outlet Hong Kong Free Press:

Image source, Getty Images

Standard Chartered has confirmed it has temporarily suspended branch operations in the Admiralty area in Hong Kong until further notice.

"To ensure safety of staff and customers, Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited announced that it has suspended the operations of the two branches in Admiralty due to severe traffic disruption in the area," the bank said in a statement., external

"Banking services in Admiralty district, including branch services, cheque deposit service, ATMs and cash and deposit machines, are temporarily suspended until further notice."

The branches affected include Admiralty Branch and Admiralty Priority Banking Centre, it said.

A bank spokesperson added: “Safety of our staff is always our top priority. We have reminded our staff members to stay vigilant and flexible in work arrangement to ensure their safety.”

Image source, AFP

Heavy rain has failed to dampen the protests as many came equipped with umbrellas.

The 2014 pro-democracy demonstrations became known as the Umbrella Movement after people used umbrellas to shield themselves from pepper spray fired by police.

Political party the Hong Kong National Front has called for the government to withdraw the controversial bill before 15:00 local time (07:00 GMT).

If the government does not, the party has threatened to enter the Legislative Council and remain "indefinitely" on strike.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has cancelled two public appearances that were originally scheduled for today, according to local outlet the South China Morning Post.Protesters are calling on Ms Lam to drop the controversial bill that would allow extradition to China, though she said earlier that she would not.

"Carrie Lam has underestimated us," one protester told AFP news agency. "We won't let her get away with this."

Image source, EPA

Image source, EPA

Some of the protesters' barricades have been built using piles of loose bricks - a development that has alarmed police.

As mentioned in an earlier post, senior officers have issued a warning to demonstrators not to throw bricks.

They might be engaged in a standoff, but one protester is still doing his bit to keep the streets clean, as the BBC's Grace Tsoi tweets:

Two images, done by a prominent Chinese dissident cartoonist, are swiftly making their rounds on social media.

Badiucao has paid tribute to two protesters dubbed 'Water Tankman' and 'Shield Girl', whose bravery and courage netizens are applauding. "If there is one thing authoritarians cannot stand, it is being mocked," wrote one Twitter user who shared the drawings.

Rupert Wingfield-Hayes
BBC News, Hong Kong

On Harcourt road in central Hong Kong thousands of protesters cheered as volunteers ran forward with goggles and umbrellas - protection against police pepper spray. Almost all of those out today are young and wearing face masks this is not a sanctioned protest and they fear retaliation or even prosecution.

For today at least the protesters appear to have succeeded. But this is now a test of wills. So far today the police have stood back allowing the shut down of much of central Hong Kong. But if the protests continue and the government remains determined to pass the extradition bill many here have told me they fear things here could turn ugly.

Image source, AFP/Getty Images

If you're only just joining our live coverage, here's what happening in Hong Kong:

• Tens of thousands of protesters have gathered in protest at a controversial bill which would allow extradition to mainland China
• The protesters are blocking key roads around government buildings, including the Legislative Council (LegCo) Complex
• Police in some areas have responded by shooting water cannons and pepper spray at protesters
• The LegCo was earlier today scheduled to meet for the second reading of the bill - but they have now delayed this
• But protesters are staying on the streets, with one saying he would not leave until the bill was scrapped

Image source, AFP

Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, has strongly criticised the "horrific" bill and offered support to the protesters.

"America stand with the people of Hong Kong," she tweeted.

Martin Yip
BBC Chinese

There's a serious "data crunch" on the protest site, just like what happened five years ago during the Umbrella Movement protests. The only difference is, the site has become bigger.

Internet access is patchy with so many people competing for bandwidth.

The supply stations are also back. This time people seem to be more prepared. Cling wraps, Hamlet's, goggles, the exact same stuff used by protesters to protect themselves from pepper spray and tear gas, have all returned.

On the exact same spot, people have also put up umbrellas as they confront a line of riot police standing yards away.

Twitter has gathered tweets around the growing movement in Hong Kong and compiled them into a Moment series. You can view the developments here, external.

Image source, AFP

BBC Monitoring
The world through its media

Matthew Cheung, Hong Kong's administration chief, has urged protesters to stop occupying major roads, the Sing Tao Daily reports.

"Cheung urged protesters to calm down, stop occupying the road and disperse as soon as possible," the paper says. Mr Cheung said the proposed bill would target only those fugitives involved in serious crimes and would help to protect human rights in Hong Kong.

Radio personality and politician Raymond Chan Chi-chuen has sent out this picture tweet showing Hong Kong policemen asleep in the Legislative Council building, the site where the decision on the controversial extradition bill has been delayed.

For many people out on the streets, this is about the very future and identity of Hong Kong.

“Carrie Lam is the biggest problem and this will lead to the end of Hong Kong. The bill will affect the future of our children,” said Mrs Ng, a housewife whose son is in his 20s.

Prominent Hong Kong politician Emily Lau told the BBC World Service Newsday programme the situation was "very tense" and the business community was becoming increasingly concerned.

She called on the business community to make its views on the extradition bill known, adding: "Why do we want to rush to pass this silly bill? What is the importance? Why should we bring the centre of our business Hong Kong to a standstill again? This is crazy."

This has been one of the most striking images from the protests so far. This lone protester faces a police water canon as they try to disperse the crowds near the government headquarters.

Image source, AFP/Getty Images

The BBC's Grace Tsoi has been on the streets of Hong Kong talking to protesters among the crowd.

“I am very glad to see so many young people here. Today reminded me of the Umbrella Movement five years ago but this crowd seems to be even younger,” said Mr Lee, a 51-year-old accountant who has been in Admiralty since late last night.

“After last time, we have more experience and it is more organised," he said.

“We don’t know what will happen. But I hope Carrie Lam will change her mind.”