Hong Kong protests continue as demonstrators remain defiant

The lawyer for an 18-year-old Hong Kong student protester shot in the chest by police was due to appear in court on his behalf on Thursday.

Thousands more took to the streets on Wednesday in peaceful rallies to condemn the shooting of the student, who remains in hospital after being shot in the chest during disturbances on Tuesday.

Police say the officer fired in self-defence because he feared his life was in danger.

Tony Tsang, who was shot at close range as he fought an officer with a metal pipe on Tuesday, was charged with rioting, which carries a maximum 10-year sentence, and assaulting a police officer.

The shooting came during a day of clashes in the Asian financial hub, the latest turmoil in months of anti-government protests that have angered Beijing and raised questions about the city’s economic prospects.

Tsang is in hospital in stable condition and was not able to attend the court session.

The protests began over a now-withdrawn extradition bill that would have allowed people to be sent to mainland China for trial, but have evolved into calls for democracy, among other demands.