
Anti-government protesters in Hong Kong erected barricades in a popular shopping district and blocked a major tunnel Saturday evening, as the eighth consecutive weekend of huge rallies draws to a close.

Protesters are continuing to defy increasingly stern warnings from China over weeks-long unrest that has plunged the city into crisis.

The semi-autonomous southern Chinese financial hub has seen two months of protests and clashes.

The movement started as opposition to a planned extradition law, and quickly evolved into a wider movement for democratic reforms.

Scroll down for video

Anti-government protesters in Hong Kong erected barricades in a popular shopping district and blocked a major tunnel Saturday evening, as the eighth consecutive weekend of huge rallies draws to a close

Protesters are continuing to defy increasingly stern warnings from China over weeks-long unrest that has plunged the city into crisis

The semi-autonomous southern Chinese financial hub has seen two months of protests and clashes. The movement started as opposition to a planned extradition law, and quickly evolved into a wider movement for democratic reforms

Riot police blasted tear gas at the protesters on Saturday evening in an attempt to disperse the crowds

An anti-extradition protester is covered in tear gas during a march in Hong Kong, on August 3

Protesters are demanding the resignation of Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam (pictured) and an inquiry into police tactics

On Saturday evening, hundreds of masked protesters put up makeshift barricades across multiple roads in Tsim Sha Tsui, a popular shopping and tourist district on the harbourfront.

They also blocked one of the three Cross-Harbour tunnels connecting to the main island, causing widespread traffic chaos.

Riot police blasted tear gas at the protesters on Saturday evening in an attempt to disperse the crowds.

Riot police gather in formation behind shields to clear the streets of the Mong Kok district overnight

While the summer-long pro-democracy rallies have been largely peaceful, they have increasingly devolved into violent clashes with police after some protesters refused to disperse at assigned times

Police continuously fired several rounds of tear gas Saturday night to push back a group of protesters who had thrown bricks at a police station and spray-painted inflammatory language on its outer walls

A bystander looks on at the riot police, one of their shields splattered with a grey liquid

Protesters burn cardboard to form a barrier as they confront police in Hong Kong in dramatic scenes on Saturday evening

Protesters burn cardboard to form a barrier as they confront police in Hong Kong in dramatic scenes on Saturday evening

Protesters set garbage bins alight during a pro-democracy rally in Hong Kong on Saturday evening, August 3

Officers with gas masks and shields charged at hundreds of protesters who had been besieging a nearby police station.

Masked demonstrators had smashed the windows of cars in the police parking lot and daubed nearby walls with graffiti. One team of protesters created a large slingshot - held up by two members - to launch bricks at the building.

Protesters were also seen burning cardboard to form a barrier and setting alight garbage bins in dramatic scenes on Saturday evening.

In return, police fired volleys of tear gas followed by baton charges and made multiple arrests.

Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam has made few concessions beyond agreeing to suspend the extradition bill and shied away from public appearances.

Protesters set garbage bins alight during a pro-democracy rally in Hong Kong on Saturday evening, August 3

Protesters set garbage bins alight during a pro-democracy rally in Hong Kong on Saturday evening, August 3

A truck driver who was trying to drive through the demonstration in Hong Kong was accosted by protesters, who shined a laser point at his face, as well as hitting him with umbrellas

Protesters set up an improvised barricade along Canton Road in the high-end shopping district of Tsim Sha Tsul in Hong Kong on August 3

Anti-extradition bill protesters stand behind street barricades in Hong Kong's district Tsim Sha Tsul in China on August 3. Hundreds of masked protesters on Saturday evening put up makeshift barricades across multiple roads in Tsim Sha Tsui, a popular shopping and tourist district on the harbourfront

A Chinese flag floats on the water after it was thrown in by protesters during a demonstration on Saturday, August 3

People attend a protest in the Mong Kok district of Hong Kong on August 3.

A protester spray-paints slogans onto a wall during a demonstration in Hong Kong on August 3

A protester spray-paints slogans onto a wall during a demonstration in Hong Kong on August 3

Protesters are demanding her resignation, an independent inquiry into police tactics, an amnesty for those arrested, a permanent withdrawal of the bill, and the right to elect their leaders.

Authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing this week signalled a hardening stance, including the arrests of dozens of protesters.

The Chinese military warned it was ready to quell the 'intolerable' unrest if requested.

Anti-extradition bill protesters cross the road as they attend a rally in Hong Kong on August 3. Protesters are demanding the resignation of Carrie Lam, an independent inquiry into police tactics, an amnesty for those arrested, a permanent withdrawal of the bill, and the right to elect their leaders

Protesters stand in front of a bus in the shopping district of Talm Sha Tsul in Hong Kong on August 3. Authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing this week signalled a hardening stance, including the arrests of dozens of protesters

Women put up posters in support of the anti-government protesters in Hong Kong on August 3

People attend a protest in the Mong Hok district of Hong Kong on August 3 in the latest opposition to a planned extradition law that has evolved into a wider movement for democratic reform

But protesters have remained unyielding, vowing to hold multiple occupations and rallies into next week, sending tensions soaring once more.

Two marches are also planned for Sunday - one on Hong Kong island and the other in the Tseung Kwan O district - as well as a city-wide strike on Monday and rallies in seven locations.

The call for strike action appears to be gaining more traction than previous walkouts, with a host of organisations and unions vowing to join.

People attend a protest in the Mong Hok district of Hong Kong on August 3 in the latest opposition to a planned extradition law that has evolved into a wider movement for democratic reform

People attend a protest in the Mong Hok district of Hong Kong on August 3 in the latest opposition to a planned extradition law that has evolved into a wider movement for democratic reform

People attend a protest in the Mong Hok district of Hong Kong on August 3 in the latest opposition to a planned extradition law that has evolved into a wider movement for democratic reform

Hong Kong has witnessed eight consecutive weekends of huge rallies - often followed by violent clashes between police and small groups of hardcore protesters.

Under the terms of the 1997 handover deal, the city has rights and liberties unseen on the mainland, including an independent judiciary and freedom of speech.

But many say those rights are being curtailed, citing the disappearance into mainland custody of dissident booksellers, the disqualification of prominent politicians and the jailing of pro-democracy protest leaders.

A protester carries a U.S. flat as they march through the Mong Kok neighbourhood during a demonstration in Hong Kong on August 3

Anti-extradition protesters carry umbrellas as they march at Mongkok, in Hong Kong on August 3

People attend a march at Mong Kok district in Hong Kong on August 3, in the latest opposition to a planned extradition law

Public anger has been compounded by rising inequality and the perception that the city's distinct language and culture are being threatened by ever-closer integration with the Chinese mainland.

On Saturday evening, protesters tore down the Chinese flag from a pole on the waterfront and threw it in the harbour.

The past two weekends have seen a surge in violence used by both protesters and police, who have repeatedly fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse projectile-throwing crowds.

A mob of pro-government thugs also attacked demonstrators, putting 45 people in hospital.

Hong Kong's police have increasingly adopted tougher tactics, including this week charging 44 protesters with rioting - an offence that carries up to 10 years in jail.

Protesters march with a banner that reads 'Police authority is too big' during a mass protest on August 3

Protesters gather on a highway during a demonstration on August 3. Protesters have remained unyielding, vowing to hold multiple occupations and rallies into next week, sending tensions soaring once more

Protesters place barricades on a Hong Kong highway on August 3. On Saturday evening, hundreds of masked protesters blocked one of the three cross-harbour tunnels connecting to the main island, causing widespread traffic chaos

In a statement, police called on protesters to 'stop their illegal acts' and told members of the public to avoid the area.

Earlier in the day protesters marched through the densely populated neighbourhood of Mongkok, which has previously seen clashes between police and demonstrators, chanting slogans and calling for residents to join a planned strike on Monday.

'The more the government suppresses us, the more we will come out until the government responds to our demands,' protester Ah Kit, 36, told AFP.

Protesters gather on a highway during a demonstration in Hong Kong on August 3. Earlier in the day protesters marched through the densely populated neighbourhood of Mongkok, which has previously seen clashes between police and demonstrators, chanting slogans and calling for residents to join a planned strike on Monday

A general views shot shows a road leading from Cross-Harbour Tunnel blocked by Anti-extradition bill protesters in Hong Kong

Protesters gather near the Cross Harbour Tunnel after blocking it in Hong Kong on August 3. 'The more the government suppresses us, the more we will come out until the government responds to our demands,' protester Ah Kit, 36, told AFP

Thousands of pro-government supporters also held a rally in a separate park on Saturday, many waving Chinese flags and chanting slogans in support of the police - who have refuted allegations of using excessive force.

Beijing has increasingly pitched the anti-government protests as funded by the west.

In a column published on Newsweek's website on Saturday, Beijing's ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai said 'ill intentioned' forces inside Hong Kong and overseas were trying to turn the city 'into a bridgehead to attack the mainland's system and spark chaos across China.'

China has provided little evidence beyond supportive statements from some western politicians and critics say Beijing's accusations of foreign meddling ignore Hong Kongers' legitimate grievances.

Anti-extradition bill protesters march in Mongkok, in Hong Kong, China on August 3. Beijing has increasingly pitched the anti-government protests as funded by the west

Anti-extradition bill protesters march in Mongkok, in Hong Kong, China on August 3. Beijing has increasingly pitched the anti-government protests as funded by the west