Hong Kong protests: All the latest updates Leader condemns 'extremely violent' events as protesters storm legislature and police respond with tear gas.
A protester is seen holding a steel pipe trying to break the glass outside the Legislative Council building
Hundreds of demonstrators stormed into Hong Kong's legislature after smashing their way in as the crisis that has gripped the semi-autonomous Chinese territory for weeks rapidly intensified.
After hours inside the complex, destroying furniture and spray-painting graffiti, hundreds of riot police surrounded the building and fired tear gas at protesters outside.
Protests have raged in Hong Kong against a controversial extradition bill, which would allow suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial.
On June 9, more than a million people marched against the bill, which they fear will allow China to encroach on rights in the territory.
China says violent actions in Hong Kong an 'undisguised challenge' - state TV
China has described the violent actions on Monday night of some Hong Kong protesters as an "undisguised challenge" to the 'one country, two systems' formula under which the city is governed, state television reported on Tuesday.
A representative from China's Hong Kong affairs office condemned the violence, and said the government in Beijing would support the Hong Kong authorities in holding those responsible to account, the report said.
Clean-up underway after violent protests on Monday night
A clean-up was underway in the centre of Hong Kong on Tuesday morning after protesters ransacked the Legislative Council building the night before.
The building itself was closed as police inspected the interior, which had been cordoned off and designated a 'crime scene', according to Al Jazeera's Sarah Clarke in Hong Kong.
Workers have been clearing discarded umbrellas, streets signs and parts of fences that protesters had taken apart and used to force their way into the building.
A worker cleans up outside the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, a day after protesters broke into the building.
Hong Kong's veteran democratic politician says protests reflect frustrations
Martin Lee, the founding chairman of Hong Kong's Democratic Party, said that while he could not defend the protesters' violent actions on Monday night, he could understand their frustrations.
"I don't like these ugly scenes; nobody likes them and I will not defend them," he told Al Jazeera. "But I want people to know what brought about such acts of violence."
The veteran politician, who helped draft the Basic Law, Hong Kong's mini-constitution, said he had spent 35 years trusting the Chinese government would deliver on democractic commitments to the people of Hong Kong.
The Basic Law was designed to ensure a high degree of autonomy for the territory for 50 years, and included that China give Hong Kong people the vote and would not interfere in its affairs.
"These two important conditions, if fulfilled, would enable Hong Kong people to be masters of their own house and none of this would have happened," Lee said.
"It was written into the Basic Law that we would have universal suffrage, ten years after the handover. Now it's 22 years and it's nowhere in sight so you can see the frustration. I also feel frustrated, but I'm an 81-year-old man and I would not do such acts to get democracy but how can you blame these young people."
Hundreds of demonstrators stormed into Hong Kong's legislature after smashing their way in as the crisis that has gripped the semi-autonomous Chinese territory for weeks rapidly intensified.
After hours inside the complex, destroying furniture and spray-painting graffiti, hundreds of riot police surrounded the building and fired tear gas at protesters outside.
Protests have raged in Hong Kong against a controversial extradition bill, which would allow suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial.
On June 9, more than a million people marched against the bill, which they fear will allow China to encroach on rights in the territory.
China says violent actions in Hong Kong an 'undisguised challenge' - state TV
China has described the violent actions on Monday night of some Hong Kong protesters as an "undisguised challenge" to the 'one country, two systems' formula under which the city is governed, state television reported on Tuesday.
A representative from China's Hong Kong affairs office condemned the violence, and said the government in Beijing would support the Hong Kong authorities in holding those responsible to account, the report said.
Clean-up underway after violent protests on Monday night
A clean-up was underway in the centre of Hong Kong on Tuesday morning after protesters ransacked the Legislative Council building the night before.
The building itself was closed as police inspected the interior, which had been cordoned off and designated a 'crime scene', according to Al Jazeera's Sarah Clarke in Hong Kong.
Workers have been clearing discarded umbrellas, streets signs and parts of fences that protesters had taken apart and used to force their way into the building.
A worker cleans up outside the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, a day after protesters broke into the building.
Hong Kong's veteran democratic politician says protests reflect frustrations
Martin Lee, the founding chairman of Hong Kong's Democratic Party, said that while he could not defend the protesters' violent actions on Monday night, he could understand their frustrations.
"I don't like these ugly scenes; nobody likes them and I will not defend them," he told Al Jazeera. "But I want people to know what brought about such acts of violence."
The veteran politician, who helped draft the Basic Law, Hong Kong's mini-constitution, said he had spent 35 years trusting the Chinese government would deliver on democractic commitments to the people of Hong Kong.
The Basic Law was designed to ensure a high degree of autonomy for the territory for 50 years, and included that China give Hong Kong people the vote and would not interfere in its affairs.
"These two important conditions, if fulfilled, would enable Hong Kong people to be masters of their own house and none of this would have happened," Lee said.
"It was written into the Basic Law that we would have universal suffrage, ten years after the handover. Now it's 22 years and it's nowhere in sight so you can see the frustration. I also feel frustrated, but I'm an 81-year-old man and I would not do such acts to get democracy but how can you blame these young people."
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