Clad in black and waving enormous cloth ribbons, thousands of Hong Kong pro-democracy activists staged a silent rally on Sunday to express their anger and distrust for Beijing after denying Hong Kong full democratic election in 2017.

An estimated 4,000 demonstrators paraded the streets of Hong Kong holding signs that encouraged further civil disobedience, but local police reported only 1,860 participated.

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Sunday's march is the latest in the series of rallies staged by pro-democracy and pro-establishment demonstrators over the extent of democracy Hong Kongers may exercise in choosing their next chief executive.

"We won't give up," one sign read. Other signs urged students to boycott their classes.

Activists championing the pro-establishment cause gathered nearby, hurling abuse at the pro-democracy demonstrators, saying that students must not be used as cannon fodders.

They belong to school, said Pok Chun-chung, the leader of the Protect Hong Kong movement.

The black cloth march remained peaceful throughout the day, reported Reuters.

Democracy activists had expectations that after their lengthy protests, sit-ins and a mock referendum, mainland China would allow Hong Kong to choose its own chief executive come 2017.

However, their hopes were cut short after Beijing announced a highly restrictive form of universal suffrage earlier this year.

Under the "one country, two systems" rule, Britain returned to China its former colony with an undated promise of universal suffrage.

Hong Kong has enjoyed wide-ranging democracy since with the exemption of exercising full autonomy in choosing its top political leader.

Last summer, the Chinese government made it clear that Hong Kong will have to choose from its vetted politicians, which Hong Kongers equate to having a fake democracy, Reuters reported.

Earlier on Sunday, Leung Chun-ying, Hong Kong's chief executive, published an open letter urging Hong Kong residents to form an accurate understanding of the political and constitutional context they find themselves in.

Multiple student groups vowed to boycott classes later this month, while the Occupy Central movement threatened to stage a sit-in in Hong Kong's central business district.

TagsHong Kong democracy, hong kong referendum, black cloth rally, Hong Kong rally