Hong Kong gripped by total chaos with mass protests, strikes and transport network meltdowns

More than 100 flights have been cancelled, public transport stations blocked off and mass strikes planned as mayhem rages on in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is in the grips of chaos as the city is hit by the widest-ranging demonstrations yet, seeing roads and transport stations blocked off and mass strikes held.

Anger in the mostly autonomous territory remains at fever pitch over the now-suspended extradition bill with mainland China, which sparked the beginning of mass protests two months ago and has since morphed into a display of resistance to Beijing’s growing influence.

Large groups of demonstrators have assembled at several points across the city today, barricading major roads and tunnels and blocking entry to public transport stations.

Action is planned for throughout the day in public spaces, transport hubs, shopping centres and outside police stations.

City streets are tense as travelling in vehicles becomes difficult, with vision emerging of a car smashing through a makeshift barrier and hitting at least one protester.

The incident occurred at about 11.20am on the normally busy Castle Peak Road in Yuen Long. The vehicle reversed and accelerated forward at speed, hitting the person, whose current condition isn’t known.

#breaking: A video circulated online has showed a car rushing through the barricades set up by #antiELAB protesters in #YuenLong and hitting at least a man #HKstrike #Hongkongprotests pic.twitter.com/LH8NhVy8DW

— Jeffie Lam (@jeffielam) August 5, 2019

A series of strikes involving teachers, public servants, transportation workers and financial sector professionals are also taking place.

The Hang Seng fell almost three per cent today, with all 10 industry groups on the stock exchange index experiencing declines.

Hong Kong airport, one of Asia’s busiest, has been significantly impacted, with Cathay Pacific cancelling 73 flights in anticipation of disruptions, while Hong Kong Airlines cancelled 32.

By 11am, some 130 flights scheduled to depart Hong Kong had been cancelled and 108 services due to land were diverted.

Embattled Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam held a press conference this morning, in the wake of another night of violent protests on Sunday, in which police deployed tear gas.

Protesters with makeshift shields pass through a subway station on their way to a police station in the Kwun Tong district. Picture: Getty Images

Normally packed train stations were largely empty as protesters snarled the morning rush hour by blocking train and platform doors. Picture: AP

Ms Lam, a pro-Beijing figure whose support for the extradition bill has seen her become a derided figure, said the city is being pushed “to the verge of a very dangerous situation”.

While she pledged to “engage more, listen more (and) do more”, she defied demands from protest organisers to resign her post.

“I’m taking responsibility for what we have done,” Ms Lam told reporters. “I don’t think at this time resignation … will provide a better solution.”

RELATED: Hong Kong mums march in support of students protesting Chinese extradition bill

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam again refused to resign during a press conference today. Picture: AFP

Calls for calm have been ignored, with today’s action sparking a meltdown across Hong Kong’s train network.

Services on most lines are either totally suspended or significantly delayed.

Across the city, many shopping centres are deserted due to employees taking part in strikes or finding themselves unable to get to work.

Riot police charge toward protesters in a fume of tear gas on an express way at Causeway Bay on Sunday night. Picture: Getty Images

This morning, Ms Lam accused protesters of putting the city at risk after months of unrest and increasingly hostile demonstrations.

“Some people have resorted to violent means to express their aspirations and ignored the freedom of other people,” she said.

“Some people threw bricks and petrol bombs, besieged police stations and blocked railway services. Some people threw the national flag into the sea, while some call for ‘glorious revolution’ in Hong Kong.

“These actions challenges ‘one country, two systems’ and threaten Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability,” she said.

Protesters are “gambling with the welfare of seven million people” and discontent with China and her leadership aren’t excuses for violence, Ms Lam added.

A man in a white uniform crosses his arms as protesters sit on a platform at Fortress Hill MTR underground station in Hong Kong. Picture: AP

The economy of the Asian financial powerhouse is struggling as a result of the ongoing protests, Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan told reporters today.

Uncertainty and instability in the city, coupled with the US trade war with China, saw retail figures in July collapse by 6.7 per cent, Mr Chan said.

“We have listened to the dissatisfaction over our handling of the bill and also our governance,” he said. “We will listen and communicate more with different sectors and improve ourselves. I hope people will think twice as they carry on their movement.”

Riot police deploy tear gas towards protesters during a demonstration in Hong Kong last night. Picture: Getty Images

Authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing last week signalled a hardening stance, including with the arrests of dozens of protesters, and the Chinese military said it was ready to quell the “intolerable” unrest if requested.

But protesters have remained unyielding, vowing to hold multiple occupations and rallies in the coming days.

Last night, demonstrations broke out in Tsim Sha Tsui, a usually busy harbourside district known for its luxury malls and hotels.

Officers with gas masks and shields charged at hundreds of protesters who had been besieging a nearby police station.

Protesters are enveloped by tear gas on an express way last night. Picture: Getty Images

International concern about the situation in Hong Kong and Beijing’s posturing has grown in recent weeks.

Last week, the White House was monitoring a sudden build-up of Chinese police at the mainland border in Guangzhou.

Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard shared his thoughts on the ongoing protests, describing the demonstrators in Hong Kong as “inspirational”.

“China remains an authoritarian country, but the economic importance of China to Australia is overwhelming, and we should never lose sight of that,” Mr Howard told a mining conference in Kalgoorlie.

Demonstrators march during a protest in the Tseung Kwan O district yesterday. Picture: AFP

“Successive governments in Australia, from both sides of politics, have worked very effectively to keep a good balance in the relationship between the two societies.

“But it is getting harder, because the regime in China now is a lot more authoritarian than the one that was in power 10 years ago and what we are seeing in Hong Kong perhaps represents a glimpse of the future for Chinese society.

“I’m almost inspired by the sight of so many hundreds and thousands of people peacefully demonstrating,” he said.

“When you think of the total population of Hong Kong and the number of people taking part in those demonstrations, it is a remarkable reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.”