Both pro and anti-government groups have been competing with each other in massing huge crowds in Hong Kong.
A major pro-government rally in Hong Kong is drawing in thousands of supporters, in response to civil disobedience campaigns by activists.
Pro-democracy activists have staged huge protests, the most recent on the 2 July anniversary of the day Hong Kong was handed back to China from Britain.
City officials have criticised the opposition protests as illegal.
Public discontent in Hong Kong is at its highest for years with concern over Beijing's interference in elections.
Pro-China protestors last gathered on July 13, also in response to recent Occupy Central rallies.
More than 120,000 people have signed up for the rally in support of the government, which began at 13:30 local time (05:30 GMT), but organisers say the turnout could reach 200,000.
"We want to let the world know that we want peace, we want democracy, but please, do not threaten us, do not try to turn this place into a place of violence," Robert Chow, the alliance co-founder told AFP.
In the other camp, pro-democracy activists from the "Occupy Central" group have said they would mobilise protesters to take over some of the busier areas of the central business district if electoral reform is not put into place.
Hong Kong's next elections will take place in 2017, and China says it will introduce universal suffrage for the vote.
A huge march on 2 July was organised by pro-democracy activists campaigning for elections independent of Beijing.
However the current Chief Executive of Hong Kong CY Leung was elected by a committee largely loyal to the Chinese government.
The pro-democracy protesters fear that the shortlist of candidates to replace him will be a similar group also loyal to Beijing.
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