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Hong Kong protest leader defends 'teammates' over invasion of government building

Calm descended on the city hours after police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of protesters who had stormed the legislature.

Policemen stand in front of graffiti on the walls of the Legislative Council, a day after protesters broke into the building in Hong Kong
Image: Policemen stand in front of graffiti on the walls of the Legislative Council
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An activist spearheading protests in Hong Kong has defended "teammates" who stormed a government building in the city, as he warned opposition to a controversial extradition bill was far from over.

Hundreds of demonstrators stormed the legislature on Monday as anger over the government proposal spilled over, with calm only restored after police wrestled back control overnight.

The chaotic scenes came on the 22nd anniversary of the former British territory being returned to China, with those who managed to break into the building seen tearing down portraits and spray-painting pro-democracy slogans in the main chamber during a three-hour occupation.

Riot police inside the Legislative Council building in Hong Kong
Image: Riot police inside the Legislative Council building in Hong Kong
Andrew Leung, president of the Legislative Council, looks at damaged glass panels, a day after protesters broke into the council building, in Hong Kong, China July 2, 2019. REUTERS/Jorge Silva
Image: Andrew Leung, president of the Legislative Council, looks at damaged glass panels

Joshua Wong, who was jailed for his role in the 2014 Umbrella Movement in the territory, told Sky News that protests would continue until the bill is formally withdrawn.

"People stormed into the legislative council because they fear that the extradition bill might be reactivated in the legislative process in the next 12 months," said the 22-year-old.

"We had the largest demonstration in the past two centuries of Hong Kong but the government ignores our words."

Joshua Wong speaks to protesters after being released from prison
Image: Joshua Wong was released from prison last month

The extradition proposal has heightened fears of eroding freedoms in the territory and further debate on the measure has been suspended indefinitely.

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But that is not enough for the protesters, who want the bill formally withdrawn so that there is no chance of it being revived before it expires at the end of the current legislative session in July 2020.

People flee after tear gas is fired into the crowds
Image: People flee after tear gas is fired into the crowds
An elderly protester stands in front of riot police
Image: An elderly protester stands in front of riot police

The protesters also want leader Carrie Lam - who is not directly elected - to stand down.

She has pledged to be more responsive to public sentiment after facing criticism for trying to push the legislation through, but used a 4am news conference to criticise those who broke into the government building.

Carrie Lam condemns the violent protesters at a news conference
Image: Carrie Lam condemns the violent protesters at a news conference

Mr Wong told Sky News: "Carrie Lam will condemn anything other than herself. I did not see any activists trying to physically assault police officers.

"The only goal for them was to enter the chamber of the legislative council and make people aware that it is not democratically elected - it just serves the interests of Beijing."

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Protesters rushed by riot police in Hong Kong

China has largely sought to downplay the recent demonstrations, with a series of rallies and marches attracting millions of people, but state media has condemned those who broke into the legislature.

Global Times, the official Communist Party newspaper, said: "These violent assailants in their arrogance pay no heed to Hong Kong's law, no doubt arousing the anger and sadness of all people of the city of Hong Kong."

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Protesters graffiti govt building

Footage that was broadcast on Chinese TV showed police moving into roads surrounding the building, where protesters smashed through glass and metal barriers.

Police initially retreated and gave the protesters the run of the building before announcing a crackdown, and hundreds of officers arrived with riot shields before firing tear gas at protesters.

Eventually roads near the heart of the financial centre were cleared, paving the way for business to return to normal, but government offices remained closed on Tuesday morning.

There were no immediate reports of injuries, but arrests are expected and Mr Wong told Sky News he was worried that some could face charges that result in 10 years behind bars.

Police fire tear gas at protesters near the government headquarters in Hong Kong on July 2, 2019. - Riot police fired tear gas as they attempted to dislodge anti-government protesters in the early hours of the morning of July 2 in chaotic scenes in the heart of Hong Kong. (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP)        (Photo credit should read ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP/Getty Images)
Image: Police fire tear gas at protesters
A police officer fires a baton round outside the Legislative Council building
Image: A police officer fires a baton round outside the Legislative Council building

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said he was "dismayed" by the violence he saw, but warned authorities not to resort to "repression" to quell further unrest.

He said: "I can understand the concerns people in Hong Kong had about those extradition laws.

"The success of Hong Kong is based on a strong business culture, underpinned by basic freedoms. We condemn the violence we saw last night, and that is never acceptable, but we understand the deep-seated concerns that people have about their freedoms and why they would want to march."

Police try to disperse protesters
Image: Police try to disperse protesters
People are seen inside a chamber, after protesters broke into the Legislative Council building
Image: People are seen inside a chamber, after protesters broke into the Legislative Council building

Mr Hunt refused to comment on whether or not Ms Lam should stand down, but warned of "serious consequences" if the system agreed between China and Britain for governing Hong Kong was undermined.

He said the UK stands behind the "One Country, Two Systems" relationship between the territory and China, which came as a result of the Sino-British Joint Declaration signed in 1984.

China has previously scolded other countries for commenting on the protests.

Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said: "Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs, and no foreign country has the right to intervene."

Of the events at the legislature, he added: "The violent attacks are serious illegal acts that trample on the rule of law and endanger social order. We strongly condemn it."

Conservative party leadership contender Jeremy Hunt speaking in Exeter during a Tory leadership hustings.
Image: Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has condemned the violence

The violence on Monday forced organisers of a separate peaceful march against the extradition bill to change the endpoint of their protest from the legislature to a nearby park.

Police estimated that 190,000 people joined the march, the third major one in as many weeks, but organisers put the number at 550,000.