They have been on the streets for days.br br In August, Beijing ruled-out free elections for the city's next leader in 2017, triggering mass protestsbr br They are calling for more democracy and they gave Hong Kong's Leader Leung Chun-ying an ultimatum to step down.br br It was not to be.br br (SOUNDBITE) (English) HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE, LEUNG CHUN-YING, SAYING:br br "Only do we follow the provisional basic law and the decision of the NPCSC can we have universal suffrage in 2017"br br China has dismissed the pro-democracy protests as illegal. But it faces a dilemma.br br Cracking down too hard could shake confidence in market-driven Hong Kong, which has a separate legal system from the rest of China. Not reacting firmly enough, however, could embolden dissidents on the mainland.