Instagram shuts down in China as Occupy Hong Kong protests deepens (PHOTOS)

Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters are still occupying the streets of Hong Kong, a semiautonomous Chinese territory, shutting down the territory's business hub and extending the demonstrations to other areas including a heavily populated residential area.

In mainland China, reports say that Instagram has been blocked, it is thought to be a way of muffling the spread of the protest, a lesson learnt from the Arab springs.

Protesters - a mix of students and supporters of the Occupy Central pro-democracy movement – are protesting the government’s plans to vet candidates for Hong Kong’s 2017 leadership elections. They want a free choice of candidates when they cast their ballots for the chief executive - something Beijing says is out of the question.

The protesters have refused to leave even after appeals from the government which said on Monday that riot police were being withdrawn. Police had used tear gas, pepper spray and batons on the protesters on Sunday. The crackdown even attracted more people to the streets. Some banks and schools remain closed and while transport system remain in chaos.

Some of the protesters camped out around the government complex overnight on Sunday, sleeping on the ground and some erecting barricades.

About 3,000 people have also blocked a major road across the bay in Mongkok, on the Kowloon peninsula, while a crowd of about 1,000 faced police in the busy shopping district of Causeway Bay, east of central Hong Kong.

Hong Kong's chief executive, CY Leung, have reassured the public that rumours the Chinese army might intervene were untrue.

"I hope the public will keep calm. Don't be misled by the rumours," he said.

According to the BBC, the following are as a result of the protests:
•    More than 200 bus routes have been cancelled or diverted; some subway exits in protest areas have been blocked
•    Several banks have suspended operations in affected areas
•    Police said they arrested 78 people on Sunday, after 70 arrests on Saturday.
•    In the Taiwanese capital, Taipei, a group of protesters gathered outside the Hong Kong cultural office in a show of support
•    President Ma Ying-jeou said Taiwan was closely watching the situation in Hong Kong

Below is a timeline showing the genesis of the issue on ground:
•    1984: Britain and China sign an agreement where Hong Kong is guaranteed "a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs" for 50 years following the handover in 1997.
•    2004: China rules that its approval must be sought for changes to Hong Kong's election laws.
•    2008: China says it will consider allowing direct elections by 2017.
•    June-July 2014: Pro-democracy activists hold an unofficial referendum on political reform and a large rally. This is followed by protests by pro-Beijing activists.
•    31 August 2014: China says it will allow direct elections in 2017, but voters will only be able to choose from a list of pre-approved candidates. Activists stage protests.
•    22 September 2014: Student groups launch a week-long boycott of classes in protest.