The Hong Kong police on Sunday resorted to using tear gas and pepper spray to disperse thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators who blocked a key road in the government district.

Hong Kong's Admiralty district resembled a war zone as over 30,000 people joined the protest, which blocked several of the city's roads, causing authorities to divert a number of bus routes.

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Protesters who tried to go through the police barricades were pepper sprayed.

In the afternoon, the authorities fired volleys of tear gas at least three times in an attempt to disperse the crowd following police warnings regarding illegal demonstrations.

The crowd scattered following the attacks and looked for water, paper towels and many covered themselves with umbrellas, while calling the authorities "cowards."

However, the demonstrators returned, and by early evening, tens of thousand protesters have again gathered outside the Pacific Place mall, on their way to city's main financial district.

The demonstrators wee again attacked by tear gas and were sent from Admiralty towards Central.

According to Alvin Au, a teacher who was at the demonstration to look after his students, although they knew there were tear gas and pepper spray, they didn't imagine it would be used on them.

"It's beyond our imagination and toleration. The government is becoming irrational," Au said.

Authorities reported there were 34 injured protesters, including 11 government employees and four police officers.

The Hong Kong police has not used tear gas or pepper sprays since 2005, when they were trying to disperse a crowd of World Trade Organization demonstrators, which gathered to protest against the South Korean farmers

According to Benny Tai, the leader of the movement called  Occupy Central, the number of people who joined the protest was "unexpected."

Occupy Central's original plan was to take over the central business district next Wednesday, but was changed and movement organizers decided on joining the mass sit-in of student protesters.

In 1997, Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule after years of being under the British rule.

Hong Kong returned to China under a "one country, two systems rule, which guaranteed Hong Kong's autonomy from mainland china.

However, the conflict began when China announced that Hong Kong will not be able to choose its own leader.

The announcement followed a  number of protests from pro-democracy groups who are fighting for the city's autonomy and sovereignty.

TagsHong Kong pro-democracy, Hong Kong independence