Brawls broke out during a pro-government march on Sunday as thousands of supporters took to the streets of Hong Kong.
Around 2,500 people marched with Chinese flags to show their support for Hong Kong’s scandal-ridden chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, ahead of a pro-democracy rally planned for New Year’s Day.
Clashes erupted mid way between pro-Leung supporters and anti-government campaigners who arrived carrying colonial-era Hong Kong flags. Several protesters reportedly punched two media personnel from a local television station, news agency AFP says.
The pro-Beijing leader pledged to improve governance and uphold rule of law in the city state but has seen his popularity plunge and now faces possible impeachment proceedings over illegal alterations to his luxury home. Leung also survived a no-confidence vote earlier this month.
Pro-democracy campaigners plan to hold a mass demonstration on January 1 to demand the resignation of Leung and universal suffrage, according to organizers.