Hong Kong authorities will not immediately move to clear tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters occupying large areas of the city, and will let them stay for weeks if need be, a source with ties to leader Leung Chun-ying said yesterday.

In contrast, students spearheading the protest movement ratcheted up pressure on Leung, saying they would occupy more government buildings unless the Beijing-backed chief executive stepped down by Thursday night.

Hong Kong protesters are angry about China’s decision to limit voters’ choices in a 2017 leadership election, and, in a major challenge to Beijing’s authority in Hong Kong and beyond, have brought much of the financial hub to a standstill.

As the mass action approached its sixth day yesterday evening, the number of people on the streets remained high.

Fears among demonstrators that police might try to remove them forcibly ahead of the National Day holiday marking the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 proved unfounded, and the atmosphere was calm but defiant.

Hong Kong student leader Lester Shum issued an ultimatum to Leung: step down or else face wider protests.

“We will escalate the action if CY Leung doesn’t resign by tonight or tomorrow night. We will occupy more government facilities and offices,” he told protesters.

“I believe the government is trying to buy more time. They want to use tactics such as sending some people to create chaos so that they would have a good reason to disperse the crowd.”

Riot police had used tear gas, pepper spray and baton charges at the weekend to try to quell the unrest, but tensions have eased since then as both sides appeared ready to wait it out, at least for now.

Protesters have dug in, setting up supply stations with water bottles, fruit, disposable raincoats, towels, goggles, face masks and tents.

Leung has said Beijing would not back down and that Hong Kong police would be able to maintain security without help from People’s Liberation Army troops from the mainland.

According to a government source with ties to Leung, the chief executive appeared ready to allow the anger to subside, and would only intervene if there was looting or violence.

“Unless there’s some chaotic situation, we won’t send in riot police... We hope this doesn’t happen,” the source said. “We have to deal with it peacefully, even if it lasts weeks or months.”