
Hong Kong has descended into chaos as Triad gangs have waded into the conflict, attacking anti-Chinese activists inside trains and on the platforms near the Chinese border.

Masked men wearing white T-shirts brutally beat protesters in a new escalation which is set to ratchet up fears that the city's feared Triad gangs are becoming an increasing presence in the conflict.

Many were seen been hit with sticks at Yuen Long metro station for around 30 minutes this evening and many people criticised police in the area for not attending until after many protesters were left beaten and bloodied.

As the evening went on protesters shined laser lights onto police after officers had fired rubber bullets and tear gas at egg-hurling activists defacing the national emblem during pro-democracy demonstrations on the seventh weekend of anti-government protests.

Pictures show the Chinese emblem being splattered with eggs and coated with a thick layer of black paint in the latest expression of protest against mainland authorities.

Protesters are calling for an independent investigation into police tactics as there is seemingly no end in sight to the turmoil engulfing the finance hub, sparked by years of rising anger over Beijing's rule.

Masked men wearing white T-shirts brutally beat protesters at the Yuen Long train station in Hong Kong in a new escalation which is set to ratchet up fears that the city's feared Triad gangs are becoming an increasing presence in the conflict

Many were seen been hit with sticks at Yuen Long metro station for around 30 minutes this evening and many people criticised police in the area for not attending until after many protesters were left beaten and bloodied

As the evening went on protesters shined laser lights at police as they tried to break up protesters who had surrounded the area

Laser lights can be seen shining off police who had stepped in to break up protests and to prevent activists moving forward

The Triad gang members were seen carrying weapons and had set upon the protesters on the platforms as violence continued through the evening

Protesters wearing hard hats continued to gather in Hong Kong this evening as police dispensed tear gas on activists

Hong Kong riot police have fired tear gas at egg-hurling activists defacing the national emblem during pro-democracy demonstrations today

Masked men wearing white T-shirts were seen brutally attacking anti-Chinese protesters in Yuen Long this evening and many seemed to back away in fear

After police used tear gas many were seen wearing gas masks. Protesters continued this evening as they held large sticks

After being attacked and beaten with sticks this evening, one man suffered a cut to the other lip while many others were also left with injuries

After the march reached its designated end point in Hong Kong's Wan Chai district, thousands continued onward, at various points occupying key government and business districts before departing for the Liaison Office, which represents China's Communist Party-led central government within the city.

Protesters threw eggs at the building and spray-painted its surrounding surveillance cameras. China's national emblem, which adorns the front of the Liaison Office, was splattered with black ink.

Organisers said 430,000 people participated in the march. Police had yet to release their estimate, which is generally lower.

Police threw tear gas canisters at protesters to try to disperse them. Protesters scattered, some heading back in the direction of a key business and retail district. Police remained in place, protecting themselves with shields. Police said on their official social media accounts that protesters threw bricks and petrol bombs at them and attacked the Central police station

Riot police use bean bag rounds to disperse anti-extradition bill demonstrators after a march to call for democratic reforms

Protesters attacked the national emblem of China, throwing eggs (left) and black paint (right) at it

Anti-extradition demonstrators are seen holding makeshift shields including umbrellas, road signs, and even parts of suitcases

Pictured: riot police standing guard after a march against a controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong earlier today

Hundreds of thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators took to the streets of Hong Kong today, with some of the marchers defacing a national Chinese emblem in their latest expression of protest against mainland authorities. Protesters are calling for an independent investigation into police tactics as there is seemingly no end in sight to the turmoil engulfing the finance hub, sparked by years of rising anger over Beijing's rule

Some held up banners that said, 'LIAR' and 'No excuse Carrie Lame'. A poster plastered on a lamppost called for an 'Investigation on police brutality'

After the march reached its designated end point in Hong Kong's Wan Chai district, thousands continued onward, at various points occupying key government and business districts before departing for the Liaison Office, which represents China's Communist Party-led central government within the city

Marching in sweltering heat and humidity of around 85F (30C), protesters dressed in black walked behind a large banner reading 'Independent Inquiry for Rule of Law'.

Triads wearing white T-shirts - drifting from the official colour of black that the protesters were wearing, are often likened to mafia gangs, with many Triads members often becoming involved in the group as teenagers.

The Triads had faced a shortage of man power as Hong Kong seemingly became more white collar, however, they have seen a resurgence as protesters continue to hit Hong Kong.

Chat apps are said to play a big role in the Triad gangs and how they now communicate and organise meetings with each other.

Previous reports had suggested that Triads had been involved in seafoood smuggling as well as counterfeit goods.

This resurgence is one of the most prominent outings of the Triads since 2017, when a Triad initiation ceremony has stopped by police in Hong Kong.

An anti-extradition demonstrator puts down a smoke cake in front of Chinese Liaison Office

Protesters sprayed the walls (left) and CCTV cameras (right) of the Chinese liaison office in Hong Kong

Riot police stand guard outside the China Liaison Office where protesters threw eggs and graffitied the building

Black-clad activists take aim at the Chinese Liaison office throwing eggs to deface it

Protesters threw eggs at the building and spray-painted its surrounding surveillance camera. Hundreds held up umbrellas

The black-clad activists, many wearing masks, defied police orders and marched beyond the official end-point of a rally that took place earlier in the day to make their way toward Beijing's Liaison Office, close to the heart of the financial centre

This is while the black-clad anti-China activists, many wearing masks, defied police orders and marched beyond the official end-point of a rally that took place earlier in the day to make their way toward Beijing's Liaison Office, close to the heart of the financial centre.

When asked if the protesters would attempt to force entry into the building, one 30-year-old man dressed head to toe in black, said, 'No,' as he mimicked a throat-slitting action.

'That would be the death of Hong Kong,' he added.

Some protesters pelted eggs at the walls of the Liaison Office, while others spray-painted graffiti in a direct challenge to the Communist Party in Beijing.

Hundreds of riot police took up positions close to the Liaison Office. Nearby, activists daubed graffiti on massive concrete pillars leading up to it, with the words 'Restore Hong Kong, Revolution of Time.'

Sunday's protest, which had proceeded peacefully along the police-mandated route, is the latest in a wave of unrest that has plunged the Asian financial hub into political crisis.

When asked if the protesters would attempt to force entry into the building, one 30-year-old man dressed head to toe in black, said, 'No,' as he mimicked a throat-slitting action. Pictured: A protester in Wan Chai holds a sign denouncing police violence during a march against a controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong

Some held up banners that said, 'LIAR' and 'No excuse Carrie Lame'. A poster plastered on a lamppost called for an 'Investigation on police brutality'.

Many ignored the official end-point of the rally as the demonstrations show no sign of let-up, posing the greatest popular challenge to Chinese leader Xi Jinping since he took power in 2012.

Authorities used blue and white water-filled barriers to barricade government and police headquarters, while global bank HSBC, in a rare move, pulled down large metal barriers on the street level of its gleaming skyscraper building.

While most of the rallies have passed off peacefully, some have erupted into violence late at night when more radical protesters have clashed with police.

The city's police force has come under scrutiny after officers fired rubber bullets and tear gas last month to disperse demonstrators in some of the worst violence to roil Hong Kong in decades.

Sunday's protest, which had proceeded peacefully along the police-mandated route, is the latest in a wave of unrest that has plunged the Asian financial hub into political crisis. Pictured: Anti-extradition demonstrators crosse the barrier onto a main road during a march to call for democratic reforms

Many ignored the official end-point of the rally as the demonstrations show no sign of let-up, posing the greatest popular challenge to Chinese leader Xi Jinping since he took power in 2012.

Authorities used blue and white water-filled barriers to barricade government and police headquarters

Protesters carry traffic cones as they attempt to block off a road in the financial hub. Many were seen dragging traffic cones while wearing black

Protesters occupy Harcourt Road as they march against a controversial extradition bill. While most of the rallies have passed off peacefully, some have erupted into violence late at night when more radical protesters have clashed with police

The city's police force has come under scrutiny after officers fired rubber bullets and tear gas last month to disperse demonstrators in some of the worst violence to roil Hong Kong in decades

The police are struggling to cope amid haphazard decision-making, worsening morale and anger among rank-and-file officers that they are taking the public heat for government unpopularity, serving and retired officers, politicians and security analysts have said.

The latest protest comes a day after tens of thousands gathered to voice support for the police, whom some have accused of using excessive force against activists, and demand an end to the violence.

Sunday's march focused on calls for the full withdrawal of the extradition bill, which would allow people to be extradited to mainland China for trial, and an independent investigation into complaints of police brutality.

Other demands include charges against protesters to be dropped and universal suffrage.

'I came back to Hong Kong this summer because of the protests,' said Mandy Ko, 27, who is originally from Hong Kong and now lives in Australia.

'My spirit is still with Hong Kong people.'

The police are struggling to cope amid haphazard decision-making, worsening morale and anger among rank-and-file officers that they are taking the public heat for government unpopularity, serving and retired officers, politicians and security analysts have said

A protester wearing a badge participates in a march against a controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong

Sunday's march focused on calls for the full withdrawal of the extradition bill, which would allow people to be extradited to mainland China for trial, and an independent investigation into complaints of police brutality

People stand on governmental building and record an anti-extradition demonstrators marching to call for democratic reforms

Protesters gesture while holding placards reads 'Form an independent investigation on legislative committee' during a march in Hong Kong

The organiser of the march, the Civil Human Rights Front, is urging the government to set up an independent commission of inquiry to be led by a judge, to look into the policing of recent extradition protests

Massive pro-democracy protests began last month in opposition to a contentious extradition bill that would have allowed Hong Kong residents to stand trial in mainland China, where critics say their rights would be compromised.

The city's leader has declared the bill dead, but some protesters are also calling for her to resign amid growing concerns about the steady erosion of civil rights in the Chinese territory.

The demonstrations have since ballooned into calls for democratic reforms and an investigation into alleged police brutality.

The city has been plunged into its worst crisis in recent history by weeks of marches and sporadic violent confrontations between police and pockets of hardcore protesters.

The initial protests were lit by a now-suspended bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China. But they have since evolved into a wider movement calling for democratic reforms, universal suffrage and a halt to sliding freedoms in the semi-autonomous territory.

Police have fired tear gas and rubber bullets, while the parliament has been trashed by protesters as Beijing's authority faces its most serious challenge since Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997.

The Front originally planned to march from Victoria Park to the Court of Final Appeal in Central but the police said the march must end in Wan Chai instead for public safety reasons

China's national emblem, which adorns the front of the Liaison Office, was splattered with black ink

Anti-extradition demonstrators run to barricade the road against the police while carrying umbrellas and wearing hard hats

A protester waves the US and Hong Kong flags as demonstrators occupy a road during a march in the financial district

It's believed almost half a million people marched in Hong Kong today, on the eighth week of protests in the Asian city

Other demands include charges against protesters to be dropped and universal suffrage. 'I came back to Hong Kong this summer because of the protests,' said Mandy Ko, 27, who is originally from Hong Kong and now lives in Australia. 'My spirit is still with Hong Kong people.'

Sunday's rally is the seventh weekend in-a-row that residents have come out en-masse.

Anita Poon, 35, said she decided to join for the first time after watching a rally by elderly people earlier in the week.

'When even the grannies are coming out, how can we just watch this on TV?' she said.

'The government has not responded to the voices of the people, that's why this keeps happening,' she added.

Generally the marches have passed off peacefully, but some have been followed by violence between riot police and small groups of more hardcore protesters who feel years of peaceful demonstrations have achieved little.

Security was tightened in the city centre, with metal street fencing often used by protesters to build barricades removed ahead of the march, and large water-filled barriers thrown up around the police headquarters.

Protesters carry US flags, masks and suitcases as they join 430,000 others to march. Security had been tightened in the centre after previous protests

A protester carries umbrellas in his arms as they occupy a section of Harcourt Road close to the legislative Council taking part in a rally in Hong Kong

An anti-extradition demonstrator throws an egg at a police station while wearing a yellow hard hat. Others also watched while wearing hard hats to protect them

Protesters hold up signs and umbrellas as they march through the city as they continue to protest as there seems to be no end it site for the protests

A person writes a message on a placard outside the Central Government Offices as anti-extradition demonstrators marc

A person writes a message on a placard outside the Central Government Offices. It reads 'No extradition to China' written in Chinese and English

The huge crowds have had little luck persuading the city's unelected leaders -- or Beijing -- to change tack on the hub's future.

Under the 1997 handover deal with Britain, China promised to allow Hong Kong to keep key liberties such as its independent judiciary and freedom of speech.

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

Authorities have also resisted calls for the city's leader to be directly elected by the people.

Protesters have vowed to keep their movement going until their core demands are met, such as the resignation of city leader Carrie Lam, an independent inquiry into police tactics, amnesty and a permanent withdrawal of the bill.

They have also begun calling once more for universal suffrage.

Protesters attempt to block off a road during a march in Hong Kong with one car (pictured above) coming to a complete stop

Officers stand guard in front of Central Government Offices as anti-extradition demonstrators march to call for democratic reforms

Hundreds of thousands of protesters in Hong Kong kicked off a march from a public park this morning to call for an independent investigation into police tactics with seemingly no end in sight to the turmoil engulfing the finance hub, sparked by years of rising anger over Beijing's rule

Marching in sweltering heat and humidity of around 85F, protesters dressed in black walked behind a large banner reading 'Independent Inquiry for Rule of Law'

Massive pro-democracy protests began last month in opposition to a contentious extradition bill that would have allowed Hong Kong residents to stand trial in mainland China, where critics say their rights would be compromised

The city's leader has declared the bill dead, but some protesters are also calling for her to resign amid growing concerns about the steady erosion of civil rights in the Chinese territory. Pictured: A woman watches protesters march

Yet there is little sign that either Lam or Beijing is willing to budge.

Beyond agreeing to suspend the extradition bill there has been few other concessions and fears are rising that Beijing's patience is running out.

Earlier this week the South China Morning Post reported that Beijing was drawing up a plan to deal with Hong Kong, citing sources on the mainland.

The details published suggested little appetite to defuse public anger over sliding freedoms and instead focused on shoring up support for Lam and the police.

A group of prominent activists from the leaderless movement read out a manifesto ahead of the march detailing protesters' frustrations -- the same words that were read out during the July 1 storming of the legislature.

'For too long our government has lied and deceived and refused to respond to the demands of the people despite numerous mass demonstrations of the past month,' the activists said.

'To compel the government to listen to its people, we as citizens have no choice but to carry out occupations (and) non-cooperative campaigns.'

The demonstrations (pictured) have since ballooned into calls for democratic reforms and an investigation into alleged police brutality

The city has been plunged into its worst crisis in recent history by weeks of marches and sporadic violent confrontations between police and pockets of hardcore protesters. Pictured: Police officers stand guard at a blockade during as anti-extradition demonstrators march to call for democratic reform

The initial protests were lit by a now-suspended bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China. Pictured: Protesters take part in a march today

Protests have since evolved into a wider movement calling for democratic reforms, universal suffrage and a halt to sliding freedoms in the semi-autonomous territory

Police have fired tear gas and rubber bullets, while the parliament has been trashed by protesters as Beijing's authority faces its most serious challenge since Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997. Today's rally is the seventh weekend in-a-row that residents have come out en-masse

On Saturday, the establishment mustered its own supporters in their tens of thousands for a rally, a gathering that was covered in detail by Chinese state media and pro-Beijing newspapers in Hong Kong.

Few see a political solution to the crisis on the horizon.

Steve Vickers, a former head of the police's Criminal Investigation Bureau before the handover who now runs a risk consultancy, said the public order situation would likely 'worsen' in the coming weeks.

'Polarisation within Hong Kong society and intense acrimony between protesters and police are deepening,' he wrote in a note to clients.

'The protests are settling into a pattern of peaceful demonstration culminating in deliberately orchestrated violence, before a lull in preparation for the next 'battle'.'

Tensions have been further stoked after police on Saturday said they had discovered a homemade laboratory making high-powered explosives.

A 27-year-old man was arrested and pro-independence materials were also discovered.

Generally the marches have passed off peacefully, but some have been followed by violence between riot police and small groups of more hardcore protesters who feel years of peaceful demonstrations have achieved little

Security was tightened in the city centre, with metal street fencing often used by protesters to build barricades removed ahead of the march, and large water-filled barriers thrown up around the police headquarters

The huge crowds have had little luck persuading the city's unelected leaders -- or Beijing -- to change tack on the hub's future. Under the 1997 handover deal with Britain, China promised to allow Hong Kong to keep key liberties such as its independent judiciary and freedom of speech

On Saturday, the establishment mustered its own supporters in their tens of thousands for a rally, a gathering that was covered in detail by Chinese state media and pro-Beijing newspapers in Hong Kong. Pictured: Anti-extradition demonstrators are seen through a 'Lennon Wall' with memo cards supporting the anti-extradition bill protests, as they march to call for democratic reforms

Steve Vickers, a former head of the police's Criminal Investigation Bureau before the handover who now runs a risk consultancy, said the public order situation would likely 'worsen' in the coming weeks. Pictured: Protesters today

Police officers use chains to lock the barricades outside the Police Headquarters as protesters march on a street in Hong Kong