No concessions

Embattled Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam yesterday ruled out making any concessions to pro-democracy protesters in the face of escalating violence, which police said was now "life threatening" citing the detonation of a small bomb.

"I have said on many occasions that violence will not give us the solution. Violence would only breed more violence," Lam told a news conference.

"For concessions to be made simply because of escalating violence will only make the situation worse. On the other hand, we should consider every means to end the violence."

Protesters have five main demands, which include universal suffrage and an independent inquiry into what they say has been excessive force by police in dealing with the demonstrations.

Hong Kong has been rocked by four months of unrest, with massive marches and at times violent protests involving tear gas, petrol bombs and live rounds, over concerns Beijing is tightening its grip on the city and eroding democratic rights.

Police have arrested more than 2,300 people since June when the unrest escalated, according to Lam.

US Senator Josh Hawley, visiting Hong Kong on Sunday, warned the city was in danger of sliding into a "police state". Lam rejected such criticism yesterday.

"The Hong Kong police force is a highly professional and civilised force," she said. "I would challenge every politician to ask themselves if the large extent of violence acts and all those petrol bombs and arson and really deadly attacks on policeman happened in their own country, what would they do?"

According to media, Hawley responded yesterday saying: "I chose the words 'police state' purposely – because that is exactly what Hong Kong is becoming. I saw it myself. If Carrie Lam wants to demonstrate otherwise, here's an idea: resign."

Hong Kong is facing its first recession in a decade, with tourism and retail hit hard by the unrest.