Hundreds of pro-Hong Kong democracy and pro-China protesters faced off in downtown Auckland.

Goose-stepping soldiers featured in a showdown between hundreds of pro-Hong Kong democracy and China-supporting protesters in central Auckland.

Police had to keep the two groups separate as they taunted each other at Aotea Square on Saturday afternoon.

The pro-Beijing side waved Chinese flags and sang their national anthem, while the Hong Kong supporters wore their characteristic facial masks and held signs that said, "fight against tyranny".

Harrison Christian/Stuff Police kept the two groups separate.

There was an uproar as two men dressed in the uniforms of Chinese soldiers arrived, goose-stepping between the two groups with a Chinese flag.

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It's unclear if the men were real soldiers. The Chinese embassy and consulate have been contacted for comment.

A bill proposing to extradite suspects from the semi-autonomous territory of Hong Kong to mainland China has sparked mass protests in the Asian city and throughout the Chinese diaspora.

The bill has since been withdrawn but protests have continued, having morphed into a campaign for greater democratic change.

Harrison Christian/Stuff Hundreds of people gathered near Aotea Square in central Auckland.

Last month, Massey University was criticised after staff ripped down posters promoting democracy in Hong Kong.

In August, a dispute between pro-Hong Kong democracy and Beijing-supporting students turned physical on the Auckland University campus, and the Chinese consulate then praised the pro-Beijing students involved in the scuffle.