HUNDREDS of flights were grounded in Hong Kong yesterday as anti-China activists continued protests for a 10th week aimed at causing disruption and demanding a return to imperialist rule. 

Activists claimed police were using “brutal force” against them after a female protester’s eye was injured as police tried to disperse demonstrators.

Mass arrests were said to have been made over the weekend as Hong Kong residents expressed anger over damage caused by the protesters.

Escalating violence since June has seen police officers attacked and the removal of the Chinese national flag from a flagpole on Saturday. 

Critics accuse protesters of attempting to undermine the authority of the local government in an attempt to weaken China. 

China has stressed that the principle of “one country, two systems,” which grants greater autonomy for Hong Kong, will remain unchanged. 

A Hong Kong activist who has played an active role in the ongoing protests raised suspicions after being snapped meeting a senior official from the US consulate last week. 

Joshua Wong Chi-Fung, the secretary-general of opposition party Demosisto, denied collaborating with imperialist forces and insisted that he has travelled to Washington several times.

He said there was “nothing special” about meeting a US consul.