Pro-democracy protests mar Chinese official's visit to Hong Kong

Pro-democracy demonstrators have taken to the streets of Hong Kong to protest against the visit of a high-ranking member of China's Communist Party.

Demonstrators march during a pro-democracy protest in Hong Kong on May 18, 2016 Source: Getty Images

About 100 protesters took to the streets of Hong Kong on Wednesday, demanding that their voices be heard during a rare visit of a top mainland government official.

Zhang Dejiang, Beijing’s chairman of the National People’s Congress, is the highest ranking official to visit the island since 2014, and he supervises all matters relating to Hong-Kong for China’s Communist Party.

He arrived in Hong Kong on Tuesday for a three-day visit.

Brandishing placards and yellow umbrellas symbolising the autonomous territory's pro-democracy movement of 2014, demonstrators marched towards the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre where Zhang attended a conference promoting Beijing's 'One Belt, One Road' initiative.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying (L) stands with Zhang Dejiang (R), who chairs China's communist-controlled legislature (Getty) Source: Getty Images

"We want to express our views, our concerns and our opinions towards our government and the interference of the Chinese government, particularly within these (past) few years,” said Tanya Chan, vice-chairman of the pro-democracy Civic Party.

Protesters shouted slogans criticising Beijing for "restricting" Hong Kong’s autonomy and the civil rights of citizens.

Allegations of human-rights abuses were also raised, as well as China’s handling of the SARS epidemic in 2002.

Mr Dejiang was considered responsible for efforts to play down the SARS viral outbreak which claimed 299 lives in Hong Kong.

Up to 6000 police officers were reportedly deployed for Mr Zhang's visit, with busloads of officers arriving last night to begin monitoring the area.

Demonstrators also protested against the visit on Tuesday (Getty) Source: Getty Images

Barriers had been erected on streets leading up to the summit's venue earlier this week, and authorities had reportedly glued pavement blocks to the sidewalk to prevent them being used as projectiles.

The protests were largely peaceful with minor scuffles contained by police.

A chanting stand-off occurred between the protesters and dozens of pro-Beijing supporters, who had also gathered outside the convention centre, but it was quickly dispersed by police.

Speaking at the summit, Mr Zhang said Beijing placed great importance on Hong Kong's prosperity, stability, and its role in the national strategy. 

Mr Zhang is expected to meet with local leaders and tour public-housing estates before leaving Hong Kong on Thursday.