China’s President Xi Jinping has issued a stern warning against dissent as protests continue in Hong Kong, saying any attempt to divide China will end in “crushed bodies and shattered bones”.

His comments came during a state visit to Nepal on Sunday, China’s state broadcaster CCTV said.

Several peaceful Hong Kong rallies descended into clashes between riot police and protesters on Sunday.

Public transport stations and shops deemed to be pro-Beijing were damaged.

Several neighbourhoods saw rallies, and by Sunday afternoon at least 27 stations on the MTR – Hong Kong’s metro – were closed.

Police said they had used “minimum force” to disperse protesters, but television footage showed weekend shoppers caught in the chaos.