A student who broke into government headquarters in Hong Kong has told Sky News she is willing to die for the cause.

Frustrated by weeks of unsuccessful peaceful demonstrations, the young and the angry stormed the legislative council on Monday night.

It was an unprecedented escalation, but those involved claim it was their only option.

"Jenny" (not her real name) was in the first wave to break in, and told Sky News that other methods of protest had been exhausted.

She said: "We have tried all means that we can do before in a peaceful way.


"I think that the government should know that the people will try everything they can to take back Hong Kong."

Image: Protester 'Jenny', with her back to the camera, says she is willing to die for the cause

The action they took was not only illegal but highly dangerous. They had no idea how an armed police force would react as they entered the heart of government.

Jenny said: "My whole life (was at risk).

"The people at the very front, they said they saw guns and it's loaded so we thought the police may open fire on us."

When asked if she was willing to die for this cause, Jenny replied: "Yes."

How China has tightened its grip on Hong Kong

Despite the potential risk to life, the authorities are not budging. China has issued a scathing condemnation of "illegal acts" - a sentiment echoed by its proxies in Hong Kong.

The damage done to the legislative council is potentially powerful propaganda for Beijing - an excuse to toughen up, an opportunity to smash the opposition.

Plus the government is keenly aware that, until this point, the protesters have been largely united.

But the attack on parliament threatens to divide them, alienating the violent from the peaceful.

Hardened activists know that a schism in their leaderless movement could be catastrophic, and even professionally peaceful protester Joshua Wong has been closing ranks.

He said: "When they (the demonstrators) put their lives at risk and expected to face 10-year jail terms, instead of blaming them, I think we putting pressure on government would reduce the possibility of having this kind of action again."

But with no sign of a solution, the danger is also growing. If the storming of parliament fails, what next for the desperate youth with nothing to lose?

"They are willing to sacrifice themselves to make their demands heard, which to me is rather dangerous because that signals that they could escalate further," warned opposition politician Fernando Cheung, who stayed in the legislative council until the protesters left.

An uneasy calm hangs over Hong Kong for now.

But make no mistake, this is a break in the battle, not an end to the war.