Hong Kong government: protests are pushing city to 'extremely dangerous edge'

Riot police stand guard at Wong Tai Sin, a residential area, after an anti-extradition bill protest in Hong Kong, China August 4, 2019. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong's government said violence and illegal protests were pushing the city to an "extremely dangerous edge", as police fired multiple rounds of tear gas to disperse hundreds of anti-government protesters on Sunday and Beijing said it would not let the situation persist.

The Chinese-controlled city, an Asian financial hub, has been rocked by months of protests that began against a proposed bill to allow people to be extradited to stand trial in mainland China and have developed into calls for greater democracy.