The Hong Kong SAR government has condemned the acts of violent protesters as riots brought chaos to the city Saturday evening. Authorities are also appealing to all residents to reject violence. This comes hours after rioters lit fires on main streets, vandalized government buildings and paralyzed traffic. The police had banned public gatherings Saturday citing safety concerns and the need to maintain public order. However, protesters defied the ban by occupying downtown roads. At least forty people have been arrested so far. Our reporter Ge Yunfei has been on the frontlines, covering the violence that is shaking city on Saturday.

Another night of fire and violence.

GE YUNFEI HONG KONG "Protesters are now setting a big fire in the middle of the road between PLA's Hong Kong Garrison and the Hong Kong SAR government's central office.

Now it's 7.30 in the night and the fire has been burning for at least 10 minutes. Some firefighters are trying to extinguish the fire but apparently it's not working. Some protesters are throwing something like explosive objects into the fire to make it bigger. And I just hear several huge sounds of blast."

Around 8pm, firefighters and police arrived.

GE YUNFEI HONG KONG "Now the police have arrived to restore peace and order. You can see the riot police with full gear are around me."

GE YUNFEI HONG KONG "About one hundred riot police are now in position to tackle the riot here. And right behind me is the water canon truck that's also on standby to disperse the crowds. And on the opposite is the fire-fighting truck which is now distinguishing the fire."

We followed the police to another location, about one block away from the fire. Police are clearing the barricades.

Pedestrians said some rioters just threw petrol bombs at the police.

HANNA TOURIST FROM BELARUS "I just saw several protesters threw petrol bombs at the police." 

Rioters are like water flowing from one location to another.

GE YUNFEI HONG KONG "Some confrontations just happened between the police and protesters here. Another fire was set up in the middle of the road in Causeway Bay near the shopping mall of SOGO. 

The police has fired several rounds of tear gas at the protesters. Now my eyes are burning and my face hurts very much."

More police then arrived and dispersed the crowd. Several rioters were arrested by the police later. And the escalation of violence in protests in Hong Kong still continues. Ge Yunfei, CGTN, Hong Kong.