The embattled Chinese Government department that oversees Hong Kong has lashed out at protesters who have rocked the country in recent months, calling their actions "evil" and "criminal" while throwing its support behind leader Carrie Lam.

Key points: Protests started in March over concerns about what activists say is Beijing's increasing influence on Hong Kong

Protests started in March over concerns about what activists say is Beijing's increasing influence on Hong Kong The statement called on protesters to focus on the economy and increasing citizen's livelihoods instead

The statement called on protesters to focus on the economy and increasing citizen's livelihoods instead It also blamed "some individuals and media organisations" on stoking public unrest

"We call on people from all walks of life in Hong Kong to unequivocally oppose and resist violence," a statement read.

"No civilised sociality under the rule of law would ever allow acts of violence to take place."

The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council had planned a live press conference to respond to the months of protests — which reportedly would have been the first time the Beijing-based section addressed such a matter since Hong Kong's handover in 1997 — but changed plans at the last minute.

Instead, they issued a strongly-worded statement at a press briefing, condemning the hundreds of thousands of people who have taken part in protests and demonstrations since March over the now-withdrawn extradition bill with China, which many feared would have allowed Beijing to silence dissidents.

The protests have continued, however, in anger over China's increasing involvement in Hong Kong affairs, and have demanded that pro-Beijing Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam step down amid escalating unrest throughout the city.

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China's top office for Hong Kong interests however praised Ms Lam, saying it "firmly supports" her administration in its handling of the crisis that the top office said has "caused serious damage to the rule of law, public order, economy and the people's lives in Hong Kong and its international image".

"We call on the general public of Hong Kong to be aware of the grave nature of the current situation and to jointly condemn the evil and criminal acts committed by the radical elements and prevent them from causing trouble in Hong Kong," the statement added.

"We hope that Hong Kong will get over the political contentions as soon as possible and instead concentrate on developing its economy and improving people's livelihood."

The statement was made after a weekend of protests where police made heavy use of tear gas, rubber bullets and sponge grenades.

The Chinese government has backed Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam despite protesters demanding she step down. ( AP: Vincent Yu, File )

Beijing refuses to condemn police attacking of protesters

On Sunday, a large group of protesters took over a major street in a Hong Kong shopping district, setting up barricades to block off the area and defend it against police.

A spokesperson for the Government's Hong Kong office, Yang Guang, blamed "some individuals and media organisations" on stoking public panic over amendments to the extradition bill, whom he said had "ulterior motives" and had been "scaremongering".

"As quite a few Hong Kong residents know little about the situation on the mainland and its legal and judicial systems, they may have doubts about the proposed amendments," he said.

"Some individuals and media organisations with ulterior motives have been scaremongering based on these doubts to stoke public panic and obstruct the adoption of the bill."

Hong Kong has been wracked by protests for seven weeks, as opposition to an extradition bill has morphed into demands for the resignation of the city's leader and an investigation into whether police have used excessive force in quelling the protests.

Police sought to defend China's main representative office in Hong Kong from protesters on Sunday for the second consecutive weekend, with the building near the heart of the city fortified with barricades.

Police said they had arrested at least 49 people over Sunday's protests for offences including unauthorised assembly and possession of offensive weapons.

As the officials left the stage, journalists in the crowd asked why Beijing had not condemned the police's attacking of protesters, which reportedly went unanswered, prompting scenes of chaos.

Hong Kong authorities have raised the prospect of a state of emergency being declared and the Chinese military getting involved if the high-profile protests continue.

The People's Liberation Army has had a presence in Hong Kong since the city's return to Chinese sovereignty. ( Reuters )

Asked under what conditions the People's Liberation Army could intervene, Mr Yang referred to Hong Kong's mini constitution, known as the Basic Law, which states that the Hong Kong government can ask the PLA garrison in the city to help maintain order.

Legal scholars have described that as a high threshold.

Human rights group Amnesty International called the police response heavy-handed and unacceptable.

Underlying the movement is a broader push for full democracy in the territory. The city's leader is chosen by a committee dominated by a pro-Beijing establishment, rather than by direct elections.

"While police must be able to defend themselves, there were repeated instances today where police officers were the aggressors," Man-kei Tam, the director of Amnesty International Hong Kong, said in a statement.

ABC/Wires