A spokesman for the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) issued a statement on Monday, condemning the violent acts during the illegal assembly on Sunday which posed threats to the safety of police and local residents.

Regarding the incident yesterday, police have arrested at least 49 persons for offenses including unauthorized assembly and possession of an offensive weapon.

"Some radical protesters acted violently in parts of Sheung Wan and Western District, including hurling bricks at police officers, committing arson and pushing towards the police cordon line a cart with burning cardboards, threatening the safety of police officers and members of the public," the spokesman said. 

"We express regret over such behaviors which are illegal and caused inconvenience to members of the public," the spokesman said, appealing once again to members of the public to express views in a peaceful and rational manner and abide by the law. 

Hong Kong police on Sunday confirmed that 11 men aging from 18 to 68 had been arrested on suspicion of unlawful assembly, hiding weapons and attacking police, Senior Superintendent of the Police Public Relations Branch Yolanda Yu Hoi-kwan said in a media briefing.

(With input from Xinhua)