The agitation continues in the former British colony, where pro-democracy protesters denounce the stranglehold of China and a risk for freedom.

Hong Kong police said Tuesday that 148 people had been arrested the day before on the sidelines of the pro-democracy demonstrations in the former British colony, which were peppered with new clashes with police.

"During the operation yesterday, the police arrested 148 people, in this case 95 men and 53 women, aged 13 to 63," said John Tse, a senior police official in Hong Kong.