Thousands of pro-democracy protesters on Friday flooded the arrivals hall at Hong Kong's airport in a bid to "educate" visitors about the political turmoil wracking the Chinese territory.

Chanting anti-government slogans, waving banners and handing out flyers, the black-clad demonstrators - joined by some flight crew - sought to inform arrivals about the authorities' use of force to put down protests.

They detailed how police had repeatedly fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters, and how an assault last Sunday by pro-government gangs had put 45 people in hospital. Visitors were asked to sign a petition calling on authorities to prosecute the pipe-wielding attackers - alleged to be triad gangsters - who ambushed protesters as they returned by train from a rally.

Meryl Yeung, a 29-year-old flight attendant who joined the protest after landing, said it was particularly important to get information to visitors from China.

"They have no idea at all, they only get information from one side, they think everyone... coming to a protest, to a rally, are all rioters, or promoting Hong Kong independence," she said.