Police clash with protesters at disputed underpass in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police armed with riot shields and pepper spray battled pro-democracy activists for control of an underpass overnight Wednesday, sparking the worst violence yet in the two-week protests.

Police arrested about 45 people as they cleared the main road of barricades that the protesters had erected in the Chinese-controlled city. Footage of police beating one protester went viral, angering some lawmakers. Authorities said the police involved in the beating would be suspended.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing, Asia’s richest man and chairman of property developer Cheung Kong (Holdings) Ltd, called for the protesters to go home.

“Since the handover, the ‘one country, two system’ formula has protected Hong Kong’s lifestyle,” he said. “I urge everyone not to be agitated. I urge everyone not to let today’s passion become the regret for tomorrow.”

The clashes occurred after protesters blocked a four-lane tunnel on Tuesday night, halting traffic in the Admiralty district near government headquarters. Police cleared away the concrete barriers from the tunnel and another major road in the district.

The main protest area outside government headquarters was still covered with tents.