Police in Hong Kong on Monday said that protests in the city have reached a "life-threatening level" after a bomb exploded and a police officer was stabbed.

Reuters reported Monday that activists hurled 20 gasoline bombs at a police station, that an explosive device was detonated as a police car drove by and that the neck of one officer was slashed.

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“Violence against police has reached a life-threatening level,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Tang Ping-Keung said, according to the wire service. “They are not protesters, they are rioters and criminals. Whatever cause they are fighting for, it never justifies such violence.”

For months, the Chinese-ruled city has been facing massive and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests. Protesters have demanded universal suffrage and an independent probe into alleged police brutality.

The demonstrations began with a now-shelved bill that would have permitted extradition to China, but have evolved into a larger pro-democracy movement.

The Hong Kong government also released a statement Monday in which protesters' actions were described as "violent and vandalistic acts which completely disregard law and order."

"Police reiterate that no violent behaviour will be tolerated. Police will continue to take resolute enforcement action so as to safeguard the city’s public safety and bring all lawbreakers to justice," the statement said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday issued a stern warning against attempts to divide the country.

“Anyone attempting to split China in any part of the country will end in crushed bodies and shattered bones,” Xi said at a meeting in Nepal, Reuters reported, citing China's state broadcaster CCTV.