Hong Kong marks handover to China as protests escalate again

The embattled leader of Hong Kong pledged to be more responsive to public sentiment, as protesters demanding she step down clashed with police outside a flag-raising ceremony Monday marking the 22nd anniversary of the former British colony's return to China.

Police used riot shields and pepper spray to push back hundreds of helmeted protesters who tried to advance down closed streets toward the harborfront venue, where the Chinese and Hong Kong flags were raised together and two helicopters and a small flotilla passed by.

Later, a disruption involving combative protesters outside the Hong Kong legislature as thousands of marchers were preparing to head in that direction.

Police asked the marchers to change their route or cancel the march. Hong Kong media say glass was broken at the legislative building and a standoff followed.

At the flag-raising ceremony, city leader Carrie Lam said a series of protests and marches that have attracted hundreds of thousands of students and other participants in recent weeks have taught her that she needs to listen better to the youth and people in general.

Lam has come under withering criticism for trying to push through legislation that would have allowed suspects to be extradited to the mainland to face trial.

"This has made me fully realize that I, as a politician, have to remind myself all the time of the need to grasp public sentiments accurately," she said in a five-minute speech to the gathering in the city's cavernous convention center.

She insisted her government has good intentions, but said "I will learn the lesson and ensure that the government's future work will be closer and more responsive to the aspirations, sentiments and opinions of the community."