Anti-WTO demonstrations in Hong Kong escalated with the protesters clashing violently with Police Saturday, the fifth day of the ongoing Sixth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization.

The demonstrators, mainly South Korean farmers, have stepped up their protesting activities by ramming through police cordon lines and tried to enter the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, venue of the conference.

Riot police have reinforced their forces at the Center and used tear gas and water cannons to prevent the demonstrators from entering the conference venue.

It is reported that five persons, including protesters and police, have been injured during the clash.

The demonstration has caused a traffic jam in Wanchai District, a downtown area, and the police have urged Hong Kong residents not to go to the district.

In a televised speech, Hong Kong Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee said police have exercised restraint to deal with the violent demonstration, but this was by no means a coward performance.

Lee said 41 people were injured in the clashes, including five police officers.

Around 900 people were detained, but they had not been formally arrested, Lee said, adding that everything will be done in accordance with law.

He condemned the anti-WTO protesters for resorting to non-peaceful means to express their views and warned that the police will take robust action to dispel this kind of illegal act and violence.

According to the latest news from the press center of the Sixth WTO Ministry Conference, 54 people have been injured in the clashes so far and admitted to hospital, 51 of whom have been discharged. Among the three staying at hospital, two are in serious condition.

(Xinhua News Agency December 18, 2005)