Hong Kong police shot a teenage pro-democracy protester at close range, hitting the area around his left shoulder on Tuesday as violent skirmishes broke out across the city hours after China held a massive military parade in Beijing to celebrate 70 years of Communist Party rule.

A police source confirmed to the Telegraph that two officers had been surrounded by protesters, who they said were attacking with long rods.

As the “outnumbered” officers felt their lives were at threat, one drew his .38 revolver, standard police issue in Hong Kong, and fired at close range.

A preliminary medical report found that the bullet had stopped in the man’s lung, and did not penetrate his heart, though the 18-year-old was understood to remain in critical condition, said the police source.

The 18-year-old student who was shot has also been arrested for assaulting an officer, and police are investigating to decide whether to press further charges.

"Our national day is supposed to be a day to celebrate and be happy, but unfortunately some rioters choose to do all these sorts of criminal damage," said Stephen Lo Wai-chung, Hong Kong police commissioner.