(HONG KONG) — Hong Kong’s leader refused to meet with pro-democracy demonstrators by their midnight deadline Tuesday, despite their threats to expand the protests that have clogged the streets with tens of thousands of people in the stiffest challenge to Beijing’s authority since China took control of the former British colony in 1997. MoreChina’s New Identity CrisisL’Oreal Halts Business Travel to Hong Kong Amid ProtestsClose to Home: First Case of Ebola Diagnosed in U.S., CDC Confirms NBC NewsTracy Morgan 'Can't Believe' Walmart Blames Him for Injuries NBC NewsScared to Death: How Fear Is Spreading Ebola in Africa NBC NewsProtesters counted down to midnight and cheered as the deadline passed, but took no immediate action. Popular Among Subscribers Mary Barra’s Bumpy Ride at the Wheel of GM Subscribe Denzel Goes Old TestamentThe Tragic Risks of American FootballBritain’s deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, meanwhile, said Tuesday that he had summoned the Chinese ambassador to discuss the dispute, saying it was essential that Hong Kong’s people have a genuine right to choose their top leader. “I am extremely concerned about the recent events in Hong Kong.