Hong Kong commercial centres paralysed as protesters, police exchange petrol bombs and tear gas

A Christian group marches towards Chief Executive Carrie Lam's house to support the anti-extradition bill protesters in Hong Kong, China August 30, 2019. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong police fired tear gas and water cannon on Saturday and pro-democracy protesters threw petrol bombs in the latest in a series of chaotic clashes that have plunged the Chinese-ruled city into its worst political crisis in decades.

Police fired round after round of tear gas and protesters took cover behind umbrellas between the local headquarters of China's People's Liberation Army and the government. Protesters also threw bricks dug up from pathways at police.