DHAKA: Hong Kong students have begun a week-long boycott of classes to protest against China’s stance on electoral reform in the territory.

Thousands of students from more than two dozen universities and tertiary institutions have vowed to take part.

It is a prelude to a larger protest on 1 October planned by pro-democracy group Occupy Central, reports the BBC.

Beijing has rejected open nominations for the city’s leadership poll, dashing hopes of those seeking full democracy.

The boycott is being organized by groups such as the Hong Kong Federation of Students and Scholarism.

Student activists are also organizing a series of rallies and public lectures in a park near government offices.

RTHK reported that teenage activists were standing outside secondary schools early on Monday morning distributing yellow ribbons to students arriving for class and urging them to boycott classes.

About 400 academics and non-teaching staff are also taking part in support of the students, according to the South China Morning Post.

BDST: 1141 HRS, SEP 22, 2014