Rival protests collide in Hong Kong mall

Pro-China protesters on one side, those denouncing perceived Chinese meddling - on the other.

An altercation between the groups at a Hong Kong shopping mall on Saturday (September 14) marks the start of more rallies planned across the city.

Police detained several people as it spilled out onto the streets.

Protesters also came out in their hundreds across the territory on Friday (September 13), singing and chanting as they marched against perceived Chinese interference in the former British colony.

But these scenes are an unfamiliar sight in a city that has often seen much more violent unrest in recent months.

Police have previously responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon.

The spark for the anti-government protests was a now-withdrawn bill - which would have allowed people to be sent to mainland China for trial in Communist Party-controlled courts - and concerns that Beijing is eroding civil liberties.

But many young protesters are also angry about sky-high living costs and a lack of job prospects.

And demand the release of detained protesters, including an independent inquiry into perceived police brutality - and the right for Hong Kong people to choose their own leaders.