Hong Kong mops up after violent protests on China’s National Day

Hong Kong authorities cleared up yesterday after the most violent clashes in about four months of anti-government unrest, including the shooting of a teenage demonstrator by police and the arrest of more than 180 people.

More than 100 people were injured during Tuesday’s turmoil, Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority said, as angry demonstrators took to the streets across the territory and police fired tear gas and water cannon to try to disperse them.

Among the injured was an 18-year-old student who was shot in the chest with a live round. He is in stable condition in hospital.

The protests, on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, were aimed at propelling the activists’ fight for greater democracy on to the international stage and embarrassing political leaders in Beijing.

The former British colony has been unsettled by months of protests over a now-withdrawn extradition bill that would have allowed people to be sent to mainland China for trial but have evolved into calls for greater democracy, among other demands.

The pro-establishment Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong condemned the violence and urged the government to impose emergency laws to stop the unrest.

On Tuesday, 96 people were charged with rioting during violent clashes on Sunday.

More protests were planned, including class boycotts at some secondary schools yesterday in response to the pointblank shooting of the teenager.

Protesters have previously been hit with bean-bag rounds and rubber bullets and officers have fired live rounds in the air, but this was the first time a demonstrator had been shot with live ammunition.

Police said the officer involved was under serious threat and acted in accordance with official guidelines.