Riot police fire tear gas as protesters take part in an anti-government rally in Kwai Fung and Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong (Picture: EPA)

Police fired a burst of water cannon to force back brick-throwing protesters as clashes turned violent once again in the streets of Hong Kong.

Tear gas was also used against anti-government protesters for the second time this weekend after a petrol bomb was thrown.

The Chinese-ruled city’s MTR rail operator had suspended some services to try to prevent people gathering but the protesters, calling for democracy in the former British colony, made it to a sports stadium in the vast container port of Kwai Chung, from where they marched to nearby Tsuen Wan.

Some dug up bricks from the pavement and wheeled them away to use as ammunition, others sprayed detergent on the road to make it slippery for the lines of police. Clashes spread in many directions.




While a large crowd rallied in a nearby park, another group of protesters took over a main street, strewing bamboo poles on the pavement and lining up orange and white traffic barriers and cones to try to obstruct the police.

A water cannon was blasted towards protesters (Picture: EPA)

Riot police aim their guns (Picture: EPA)

Protesters carry umbrella to protect against the tear gas (Picture: AFP/Getty)

Tear gas floats around a demonstrator as they clash with riot police (Picture: Reuters)

After hoisting warning flags, police used tear gas to try to disperse the crowd.

Protesters responded by throwing bricks and petrol bombs towards the police.

Prior to the skirmishes, tens of thousands of umbrella-carrying protesters marched in the rain in Hong Kong’s latest pro-democracy demonstration.

Many filled Tsuen Wan Park, the endpoint of the rally, chanting, ‘Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong’, the South China Morning Post newspaper said.

An anti-extradition bill protester throws a Molotov cocktail at riot police(Picture: Reuters)

Riot police fired tear gas and a warning shot to disperse crowds (Picture: Reuters)

Some demonstrators used slingshots loaded with bricks as they clashed with riot police (Picture: Reuters)

Violence erupted on the second day of protests in Hong Kong (Picture: EPA)

Protesters hold posters during a march through the city (Picture: EPA)

The march started near the Kwai Fong railway station, which has become a focal point for protesters after police used tear gas in the station earlier this month.

Police with riot gear could be seen moving into position along the march route.

Protesters have taken to Hong Kong’s streets for more than two months demanding democratic elections and an investigation into police use of force to quell the protests.

A large group clashed with police on Saturday after a march in the Kowloon Bay neighbourhood, building barricades and setting fires in the streets.

Police said they arrested 29 people, ranging from 17 to 52 years old, for various offences, including unlawful assembly, possession of offensive weapons and assaulting police officers.

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