Police have fired rubber bullets and tear gas in Hong Kong at demonstrators amid anger at a new bill to allow extradition to mainland China.
Protesters blocked key roads around government buildings and threw bricks and projectiles at police.
They are concerned the new laws could target political opponents of Beijing and fear alleged human rights abuses in China’s legal system.
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam has “strongly condemned” the violence.
“The rioting actions that damage peaceful society, ignoring law and discipline is unacceptable for any civilised societies,” she said in a video statement.
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The government is still backing the bill and it is expected to pass its final vote on 20 June.
It has promised legally binding human rights safeguards and other measures it says should alleviate concerns.
But Hong Kong’s Legislative Council (LegCo) has now delayed its second reading.
The BBC’s Gabriel Gatehouse was inside the LegCo buildingThe rallies against the extradition bill are the biggest since the territory was handed back to China by the British in 1997.
How have the protests unfolded?
Protests had been largely peaceful ahead of the scheduled debate of the bill – but on Wednesday they escalated as activists tried to storm government buildings.
One young protester wearing a black mask and gloves told news agency AFP that they would not leave until “they scrap the law”.
Rights groups including Amnesty have accused police of using excessive force but Police Commissioner Stephen Lo Wai-chung said police had had “no choice”.
Twenty-two people have been injured so far but none are said to be in a serious condition.
As night fell protesters remained in some streets behind makeshift barricades.
REUTERS;Police have been using tear gasMeanwhile a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman has described reports that security forces from the mainland could be sent to Hong Kong as “fake news”.
Geng Shuang said such reports were “rumours to fool people so as to create panic”.
REUTERS;Some protesters have remained on the streetPolice said they were also investigating death threats made against Ms Lam.
In a tearful interview with local TV, Ms Lam dismissed accusations that she had “sold out” Hong Kong.
“I have grown up here with all the Hong Kong people,” she said. “My love for this place has led me to make many personal sacrifices.”
