It is likely Hong Kong will register a quarter-on-quarter negative growth in the third quarter, the finance chief of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government said on Saturday.

Speaking with reporters, Paul Chan, financial secretary of the SAR government, said the economic data for the quarter is being compiled and the negative impact has been quite strong on tourism-related industries, and food and beverage-related industries.

"Our initial assessment is that the economic performance for the third quarter would still be very challenging," Chan said.

It is highly likely that Hong Kong would be registering a quarter-on-quarter negative growth again for the third quarter. If that is the case, then technically Hong Kong will be in recession, he added.

"We are monitoring the situation very closely and will see what the SAR government can do to support our small and medium-sized enterprises and to sustain employment," he noted.

The SAR government has recently introduced a number of measures to address the challenges of the current economic environment and alleviate unemployment in Hong Kong.

Violence getting uglier, hitting economy

Anti-government protests in Hong Kong have maintained its momentum for nearly four months, hammering the pillar sectors and worsening the business environment of the SAR. 

Read more: How 100 days of unrest hit Hong Kong's economy

The violence began this weekend again, following the pattern of the last few weeks.

Anti-government protesters have attacked the legislature, occupied the airport, thrown petrol bombs at police, vandalized metro stations and set street fires. Police have responded with tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters. 

(With input from Xinhua News Agency; comic by Li Jingjie)