Government lashes out at Hong Kong protest targeting its office

China on Monday harshly criticized a demonstration in which eggs were thrown at its office in Hong Kong, accusing the demonstrators of violence without mentioning a violent attack against protesters and civilians in the same night.

The official People's Daily newspaper, in a front-page commentary headlined "Central Authority Cannot be Challenged," called the protesters' actions "intolerable."

One group of protesters targeted China's liaison office on Sunday night after more than 100,000 people marched through the city to demand democracy and an investigation into the use of force by police to disperse crowds at earlier protests.

Later, protesters trying to return home were attacked inside a train station by assailants who appeared to target the pro-democracy demonstrators.

At least 45 people were injured, of whom 22 remained hospitalized Monday morning, including one man in critical condition, the Hospital Authority said.

Another 14 people were injured as police used tear gas to clear protesters in central Hong Kong. Police said on their official social media accounts that protesters threw bricks and petrol bombs at them and attacked the police headquarters.

The attack on the liaison office touched a raw nerve in China. China's national emblem, which hangs on the front of the building, was splattered with black ink. It was replaced by a new one within hours.