Hong Kong protests: Demonstrators storm govt building on anniversary of handover The disruption forced Hong Kong leaders and guests to watch annual handover commemorations from inside a convention centre.

Image: Protestors hang the old Hong Kong flag - featuring the union flag - in the chamber of legislature.

A small group of protesters have broken into Hong Kong’s legislature, smashing paintings and daubing walls with graffiti in a direct challenge to China as anger over an extradition bill spiralled out of control.

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 at the legislature on Monday afternoon.

Tens of thousands of others marched through the city to demand expanded democracy on the 22nd anniversary of the former British colony's return to China as frustrations among protesters boiled over.

People rammed the safety glass protecting those inside using a cargo cart and poles, paying little attention to police signs urging them to stop charging.

Officers eventually managed to commandeer the cart, and riot shields and pepper spray were also used to push back hundreds of demonstrators who had blocked a nearby street.


Image: Protesters are calling for the extradition bill to be scrapped completely over worries over Chinese authority in the country

Image: Protesters have held a number of demonstrations in recent weeks

The disruption forced Hong Kong leaders and guests to watch the annual commemorations from inside a convention centre, rather than outside as they would usually.

While the flag-raising ceremony and other celebrations always draw protests, the demonstration this year has been much larger than usual because of widespread opposition to an extradition bill that would have allowed suspects to be extradited to the mainland to face trial.

Image: Police clash with protesters near a flag raising ceremony for the anniversary of the Hong Kong handover

Image: Protesters try to push a metal cart through a closed entrance at the government headquarters

The mass march on Monday was the third demonstration in three weeks after the bill awakened broader fears that China is eroding Hong Kong's freedoms.

It forced a U-turn from the embattled leader of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam, who has pledged to be more responsive to public sentiment after coming under incessant criticism for trying to push through the legislation.

She said the protests and marches, which have attracted hundreds of thousands of students and other participants, have taught her that she needs to listen better to the youth and people in general.

Image: Police try to disperse protesters

Image: Police stand guard with shields

In a speech at the convention centre, she said: "This has made me fully realise that I, as a politician, have to remind myself all the time of the need to grasp public sentiments accurately."

She added: "I will learn the lesson and ensure that the government's future work will be closer and more responsive to the aspirations, sentiments and opinions of the community."

Image: Police used riot shields to push back hundreds of demonstrators who had blocked a nearby street

Image: More than one million people took part in two previous demonstrations

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has used the anniversary of the handover to affirm Britain's support for the "One Country, Two Systems" relationship between the autonomous territory and China.

He said a surge of protests in Hong Kong has made it "even more important" to reiterate the UK government's commitment to Sino-British Joint Declaration, originally agreed in 1984.

Image: Protesters try to break into the Legislative Council building

"It is imperative that Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, and the rights and freedoms of the Hong Kong people, are fully respected in line with the Joint Declaration and the Hong Kong Basic Law," Mr Hunt said.

"We have made our position on this clear to the Chinese Government, both publicly and in private, and will continue to do so."

On Sunday, more than 50,000 people rallied in support of Hong Kong police, who have been criticised for using tear gas and rubber bullets during clashes with demonstrators that left dozens injured on 12 June.

More than one million people took to the streets in two previous marches in June, organisers estimate.

The Hong Kong government has already postponed debate on the extradition bill indefinitely, leaving it to die, but protest leaders want the legislation formally withdrawn and the resignation of chief executive Carrie Lam.

They also are demanding an independent inquiry into police actions on 12 June.