In Pictures

Hong Kong: More violent protests rock the city

City’s leader Carrie Lam warns Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protesters close to creating a ‘very dangerous situation’.

A priest is seen in front of riot police during an anti-extradition bill protest in Kennedy Town, Hong Kong, China, August 4, 2019. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez — A priest stands in front of riot police during the protest in Kennedy Town, Hong Kong. [Eloisa Lopez/Reuters]

Hong Kong‘s pro-democracy protesters are close to creating a “very dangerous situation”, the city’s leader Carrie Lam warned on Monday as train travel and international flights in the global financial hub were thrown into chaos.

The peak-hour efforts to lock down Hong Kong’s transport sector on Monday morning followed two months of unprecedented and often violent unrest, fuelled by demands for greater democracy in the self-governing territory.

Several commuter train lines came to a stop on Monday, when protesters blocked entrance to the trains. Some streets were also taken over by protesters demanding more freedom in the city.

On Sunday, the city government had also said that violence and illegal protests were pushing the city to an “extremely dangerous edge”, with police firing multiple rounds of tear gas to disperse hundreds of anti-government protesters.

The protests have become the most serious political crisis in Hong Kong since it returned to Chinese rule 22 years ago after being governed by Britain since 1842. They have also presented the biggest popular challenge to Chinese leader Xi Jinping in his seven years in power.

China’s official news agency Xinhua said on Sunday: “The central government will not sit idly by and let this situation continue. We firmly believe that Hong Kong will be able to overcome the difficulties and challenges ahead.”

On Sunday night, protesters split into several different directions to disrupt transport networks. Police said they were “seriously paralysing traffic and affecting emergency services” and warned them to stop immediately – an order the protesters ignored.

Police officers fire tear gas towards protesters during an anti-extradition bill protest in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, China, August 4, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon - — Police fire tear gas to disperse protesters on Sunday. [Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters]

Demonstrators use umbrellas, slings and a makeshift shield during an anti-extradition bill protest in Hong Kong, China, August 4, 2019. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu — Protesters have called for a mass strike across Hong Kong on Monday. [Tyrone Siu/Reuters]

Demonstrators are seen amidst smoke from tear gas during an anti-extradition bill protest in Hong Kong, China, August 4, 2019. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez - — A general strike brought the city to a halt on Monday. [Eloisa Lopez/Reuters]

An anti-extradition bill protester uses a slingshot toward police officers which fired tear gas during a protest in Hong Kong, China, August 4, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon — Many flight departures were shown as being cancelled on Monday due to aviation workers joining the strike. [Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters]

Demonstrators burn rubbish during a protest in Hong Kong, China, August 4, 2019. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu - — Police said the protesters were 'seriously paralysing traffic and affecting emergency services'. [Tyrone Siu/Reuters]

A journalist covers her face after police officers fired tear gas toward anti-extradition bill protesters during a protest in Hong Kong, China, August 4, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon — Police said more than 20 people had been arrested since Saturday for offences including unlawful assembly and assault. [Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters]

Anti-extradition bill protesters are seen on the street in front of Causeway Bay subway station, in Hong Kong, China, August 4, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon — Hong Kong has been rocked by months of protests that began against a proposed bill to allow people to be extradited to mainland China and to stand trial there. [Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters]