HONG KONG’S government warned of “great danger” today after violence flared at demonstrations over the weekend, with rioters attacking police and officers responding with tear gas and a live gunshot.

A government statement said: “The escalating illegal and violent acts of radical protesters are not only outrageous, they also push Hong Kong to the verge of a very dangerous situation.”

Violent clashes over the weekend saw demonstrators hurl bricks and other objects at buildings as the authorities came under attack while trying to keep order.

Radical protesters threw petrol bombs at the police outside Yeung Uk Road Market in Tsuen Wan and shone lasers into their eyes from behind barricades.

Masked demonstrators blocked traffic and continued to escalate their violent attacks.

Some tore down surveillance cameras while others ripped down the national flag at the the Kwai Chung Sports Ground.

Large numbers were seen displaying the US flag, singing the Star Spangled Banner and calling on President Donald Trump to intervene. 

It is believed they were from the banned Hong Kong National Party, a right-wing group seeking independence from China.

Britain’s Union flag was also prevalent, in a reminder of Hong Kong’s colonial past. 

The progressive credentials of the protest movement came under scrutiny when the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, the region’s largest labour movement body with 410,000 members in 251 affiliates, came under attack earlier this month.

Despite police warning protesters to desist from their attacks on Sunday their appeals were ignored and water cannon were deployed to disperse the crowds.

As protesters armed with iron bars chased police officers, who were forced to back away, a warning shot was fired into the air.

Superintendent Leung Kwok-wing of the New Territories South Regional Crime Headquarters said the officer had fired the shot as his life was in danger.

It was the 12th week of protests, which started over plans to introduce an extradition law that would have allowed suspects to be deported to face trial in countries where they are accused of committing serious crimes.

But Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam has suspended its introduction indefinitely in the face of the demonstrations.

China has consistently warned the US to stop interfering in its domestic affairs. 

Opposition groups in Hong Kong, including prominent activist Joshua Wong’s Demosisto party, are alleged to have close links to the Washington-funded National Endowment for Democracy and the National Democratic Institute.