PROTESTERS used a metal trolley and poles to storm Hong Kong's Legislative Council building today and then raised the British colonial flag in a symbol of defiance.

Earlier hundreds of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets to mark the anniversary of the 1997 handover to Chinese rule, as anger over an extradition bill continues.

21 Protesters fixed a British colonial flag to the parliament podium after they broke into the government HQ Credit: AFP

21 Demonstrators also daubed the walls with anti-government slogans Credit: AFP

21 Protesters attempting to smash their way into Hong Kong's Legislative Council Credit: Reuters

Demonstrators dressed in all-black and wearing hard hats and face masks smashed a large hole through the bottom of a floor-to-ceiling window.

Hundreds crowded the building's lobby, spray-painting messages on the walls and waving to the crowd outside from upstairs windows.

Footage taken outside the building shows the trolley being repeatedly smashed into the front door as police stand guard inside.

After they managed to get the trolley wedged into the damaged panel, police managed to grab it away from them.

But they eventually managed to batter their way in and footage shows the demonstrators walking through the shattered windows.

Inside protesters defaced the Bauhinia crest of Hong Kong with spray paint, and were videotaped destroying office equipment.

A black and white banner hoisted in the chamber read in Chinese: “Bow to protect rule of law. Oppose extradition.”

China said Britain should "know its place and stop interfering" after the government pledged support.

This evening Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said on Twitter: "Want to stress UK support for Hong Kong and its freedoms is UNWAVERING.

"HK people MUST preserve right to peaceful protest exercised within the law, as hundreds of thousands of brave people showed today."

Away from campaigning want to stress UK support for Hong Kong and its freedoms is UNWAVERING on this anniversary day. No violence is acceptable but HK people MUST preserve right to peaceful protest exercised within the law, as hundreds of thousands of brave people showed today. — Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) July 1, 2019

21 Credit: AFP

A protester attempts to cover the Hong Kong emblem with a British colonial flag

21 A protester throws a portrait of a politician after protesters broke into the government HQ Credit: AFP

21 Demonstrators dressed in all-black and wearing hard hats and face masks stormed the building Credit: Reuters

The violence came as the city’s leader Carrie Lam attended the annual ceremony, in which the Chinese and Hong Kong flags were raised together while two helicopters and a small flotilla passed by.

Police used riot shields and pepper spray to push back hundreds of helmeted protesters who tried to advance down closed streets toward the harbour front venue of the ceremony.

The government has suspended debate on the bill indefinitely, but protest leaders want the legislation formally withdrawn and Lam's resignation.

They also are demanding an independent inquiry into police actions during a June 12 protest.

"We used to think that police are protecting the citizens. But people are protesting peacefully. Citizens are scared," said 21-year-old student Tiffany Lau.

21 The intruders hid behind umbrellas inside the chamber for fear of reprisal Credit: AFP or licensors

21 Demonstrators eventually managed to smash their way in Credit: AFP or licensors

Protesters storm inside government building during the anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to China

"Carrie Lam still doesn't want to listen to citizens. I think the only solution is for her to step down."

Police officers used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters who blocked entry to the legislature on the day debate on the bill had been scheduled to resume.

Hong Kong has been a semi-autonomous region since 1997, when a 99-year lease held by Britain expired.

The city was returned to Chinese rule under a "one country, two systems" formula that allows freedoms not enjoyed in mainland China, including freedom of protest and a much-cherished independent judiciary.

Hong Kong handover Hong Kong became a British colony with the end of the First Opium War in 1842. The British fought the war to preserve the right of the East India Company to sell opium into mainland China. The establishment of the colony gave Britain control over a number of ports to which foreign merchants could deliver goods. Britain obtained a 99-year lease for the territory in 1898, and relinquished control when that lease expired in 1997. Hong Kong now operates as a semi-autonomous territory, with control over its own trade, tax, and immigration policy. Under the terms of the 1997 handover, that status is protected until 2047. What happens after then is currently undecided, but opponents of the Beijing government fear that China will seek to gain control of the territory.

But it has been plunged into turmoil over a proposed law that would allow extradition to mainland China.

Authorities in the territory have sought to suppress opposition to the proposed law, which critics say would erode Hong Kong’s judicial independence.

The new bill would create a system for case-by-case fugitive transfers between Hong Kong and China.

The Hong Kong government says the bill is a necessary step in its fight against crime, and that China is an important strategic partner.

But opponents fear that it would not resist politically-motivated requests by China.

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Fears were bolstered last month when a member of China’s politburo, the ruling body of the Communist Party, revealed that the country’s targets included foreigners who had committed crimes against Chinese national security outside China.

The embattled leader of Hong Kong pledged to be more responsive to public sentiment in a speech at a flag-raising ceremony.

"This has made me fully realize that I, as a politician, have to remind myself all the time of the need to grasp public sentiments accurately," she said.

Protesters now pouring through glass door entrances of LegCo at couple spots - still another barricade to get inside #HongKongProtest #July1 #antiELAB pic.twitter.com/JdRvf7aSQw — Rosalind Adams (@RosalindZAdams) July 1, 2019

21 Hong Kong was once again brought to a standstill by a huge demonstration Credit: AP:Associated Press

21 The demonstrators made several attempts to storm the building Credit: EPA

21 Hong Kong protest - Police were mobilised to keep protestors away from the ceremony Credit: Getty Images - Getty

21 Shattered glass at the Legislative Council building where demonstrators tried smash their way in Credit: AFP or licensors

21 One of the demonstrators makes his views clear to police inside the building Credit: EPA

21 Another demonstrator used a pole to smash the glass Credit: Reuters

21 A pair of demonstrators sent tumbling during clashes with police Credit: Reuters

21 Police beat back protestors near the handover ceremony Credit: Reuters

21 A large crowd gathered outside the Legislative Council building Credit: AFP

21 Crowds began gathering in the early hours behind barricades Credit: Reuters

21 Police attempting to disperse demonstrators near the ceremony Credit: REUTERS

21 Chinese and Hong Kong flags are carried by helicopters at the handover anniversary ceremony Credit: Getty - Contributor

21 Under fire city chief Carrie Lam toasts mainland officials at the handover anniversary Credit: Getty - Contributor

Hong Kong riots - Protesters use trolley to smash into government building on 22nd anniversary of its handover from UK to Chinese rule

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