Democracy activists in Hong Kong have called a general strike aimed at bringing the city to a halt on Monday as angry protests against Chinese influence escalate.

In the ninth successive weekend of unrest, hundreds of masked demonstrators started fires, blocked key roads, spray-painted traffic lights and hurled objects including bricks at a police station.

Riot police fired tear gas to dispel protesters in a popular shopping area, forcing stores and malls, including Times Square, to close early.

Many flight departures were shown as being cancelled on Monday, reportedly because aviation workers were planning to strike.

“We sprayed the traffic light because we don’t want traffic to work tomorrow and we don’t want citizens to go to work,” said one protester who was clad from head to toe in black.

Hong Kong protesters hit with tear gas shot by riot police Show all 16 1 /16 Hong Kong protesters hit with tear gas shot by riot police Hong Kong protesters hit with tear gas shot by riot police Police fire tear gas on protesters in Hong Kong AP Hong Kong protesters hit with tear gas shot by riot police The protesters removed a Chinese national flag from its pole and flung it into the city's iconic Victoria Harbour and police later fired tear gas at demonstrators after some of them vandalized a police station AP Hong Kong protesters hit with tear gas shot by riot police Protesters burn cardboard to form a barrier AP Hong Kong protesters hit with tear gas shot by riot police Protests take cover from the tear gas shot by riot police EPA Hong Kong protesters hit with tear gas shot by riot police Riot police in protective gear AP Hong Kong protesters hit with tear gas shot by riot police Police fire tear gas during a protest in Tsim Sha Tsui district in Hong Kong on August 3, 2019. - Anti-government protesters in Hong Kong erected barricades in a popular shopping district and blocked a major tunnel on the evening of August 3, defying increasingly stern warnings from China over weeks-long unrest that has plunged the city into crisis. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP)PHILIP FONG/AFP/Getty Images PHILIP FONG AFP/Getty Hong Kong protesters hit with tear gas shot by riot police An anti-extradition bill protester is covered in tear gas during a march in Hong Kong, China, August 3, 2019. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez ELOISA LOPEZ Reuters Hong Kong protesters hit with tear gas shot by riot police Police fire tear gas during a protest in Tsim Sha Tsui district in Hong Kong on August 3, 2019. - Anti-government protesters in Hong Kong erected barricades in a popular shopping district and blocked a major tunnel on the evening of August 3, defying increasingly stern warnings from China over weeks-long unrest that has plunged the city into crisis. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP)PHILIP FONG/AFP/Getty Images PHILIP FONG AFP/Getty Hong Kong protesters hit with tear gas shot by riot police Protesters burn cardboard to form a barrier as they confront with police in Hong Kong on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. Hong Kong protesters removed a Chinese national flag from its pole and flung it into the city's iconic Victoria Harbour on Saturday, and police later fired tear gas at demonstrators after some of them vandalized a police station. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) Kin Cheung AP Hong Kong protesters hit with tear gas shot by riot police epa07754951 A protests take cover from the tear gas shot by riot police as anti-extradition bill protesters gather outside Tsim Sha Tsui police station during a rally in Hong Kong, China 03 August 2019. Hong Kong is bracing itself for a ninth consecutive weekend of multiple anti-extradition demonstrations and a planned citywide strike on 05 August. EPA/JEROME FAVRE JEROME FAVRE EPA Hong Kong protesters hit with tear gas shot by riot police Protesters shine a laser beam as they form up in gas masks and umbrellas during a confrontation with police in Hong Kong on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. Hong Kong protesters removed a Chinese national flag from its pole and flung it into the city's iconic Victoria Harbour on Saturday, and police later fired tear gas at demonstrators after some of them vandalized a police station. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) Vincent Thian AP Hong Kong protesters hit with tear gas shot by riot police epa07754995 Riot police shoot tear gas against anti-extradition bill protesters gathered outside Tsim Sha Tsui police station during a rally in Hong Kong, China, 03 August 2019. Hong Kong is bracing itself for a ninth consecutive weekend of multiple anti-extradition demonstrations and a planned citywide strike on 05 August. EPA/JEROME FAVRE JEROME FAVRE EPA Hong Kong protesters hit with tear gas shot by riot police Riot police in protective gear run forward during a confrontation with protesters in Hong Kong on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. Hong Kong protesters removed a Chinese national flag from its pole and flung it into the city's iconic Victoria Harbour on Saturday, and police later fired tear gas at demonstrators after some of them vandalized a police station. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) Vincent Thian AP Hong Kong protesters hit with tear gas shot by riot police Anti-extradition bill protesters walk among tear gas as they attend a march in Hong Kong, China, August 3, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon KIM KYUNG-HOON Reuters Hong Kong protesters hit with tear gas shot by riot police Police fire tear gas during a protest in Tsim Sha Tsui district in Hong Kong on August 3, 2019. - Anti-government protesters in Hong Kong erected barricades in a popular shopping district and blocked a major tunnel on the evening of August 3, defying increasingly stern warnings from China over weeks-long unrest that has plunged the city into crisis. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP)PHILIP FONG/AFP/Getty Images PHILIP FONG AFP/Getty Hong Kong protesters hit with tear gas shot by riot police Riot police form up as journalists work nearby amongst tear gas in Hong Kong on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. Hong Kong protesters removed a Chinese national flag from its pole and flung it into the city's iconic Victoria Harbour on Saturday, and police later fired tear gas at demonstrators after some of them vandalized a police station. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) Vincent Thian AP

The protesters, who accuse the Chinese Communist Party of encroaching on their liberties, have adopted flash tactics, shifting quickly from place to place to evade capture and using online platforms such as Telegram to direct hundreds of people.

After a rally in the island’s Western district, where thousands of people gathered on Sunday to urge authorities to listen to public demands, police fired tear gas to disperse protesters.

Some demonstrations finished peacefully, but the activists then blocked roads in the town of Tseung Kwan O, setting up barricades.

They also stopped traffic from entering the Cross Harbour Tunnel linking Hong Kong island and the Kowloon peninsula.

Clad in yellow helmets and black face masks, protesters in the upmarket area of Causeway Bay on the island faced more tear gas.

The gas beat back most of the crowd but some protesters threw canisters back at officers and hurled objects. Some jeered “gangsters” at the police line.

Police said earlier that they had arrested more than 20 people for offences including unlawful assembly and assault after marches on Saturday turned into now-routine standoffs with officers.

Residents in one neighbourhood joined forces with protesters to surround a police station, yelling at riot police to leave.

The central government will not sit idly by and let this situation continue China’s official news agency

The activists want an independent investigation into complaints of police abuse and the government response to an attack at a railway station that injured 44 people.

They also want Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam to resign, even though she suspended the bill on extradition to China that initially sparked the protests.

Fears over Chinese influence in Hong Kong have been further fuelled by the arrests of booksellers.

Hong Kong’s government said the violence and illegal protests were pushing the city to an extremely dangerous edge.

A statement said the unrest would harm Hong Kong’s society and economic livelihood.

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

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The protests in the former British colony present the biggest popular challenge to Chinese leader Xi Jinping in his seven years in power.

“Even if Carrie Lam resigns, its still not resolved. It’s all about the Communist Party, the Chinese government,” said Angie, a 24-year-old activist.