Anonymous hackers are claiming to have brought down several websites belonging to the Chinese government in response to pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

The sites of the Chinese military, the ministry of justice and the Hong Kong police could all be confirmed as offline, but the sites of the Chinese and Hong Kong governments, and the ministry of public security were all functioning.

In a message posted on code depot Pastebin, Anonymous said: "After watching the brave protesters in Hong Kong, who have decided to stand up against a tyrannical government and pursue a free, democratic election system, we have launched Operation Hong Kong.

"In regards to the police in Hong Kong using unnecessary force on peaceful protesters, all of your internet bases will belong to us. We have already shut down multiple sites, leaked much information from your governments databases. This is just the beginning."

Various social media accounts claiming to be affiliated with the hacking collective were posting the IP addresses and URLs of Chinese websites for others to attack, as well as data sheets supposedly taken from other targets.

Andre Blumberg, director of information technology at CLP Power Hong Kong, seemingly confirmed that the Hong Kong police site was being attacked in a screenshot posted to Twitter.

Twenty-four sites belonging to Hong Kong businesses were also said to be attacked in connection with the protests, but most of those targeted appeared to be working as normal.

Protestors have been on Hong Kong’s street for more than a week over the nomination process for the chief executive of the city, which unlike the mainland has a system of universal suffrage following the handover of the territory from Britain in 1997.

Last week a video released by Anonymous claimed to be waging war against the Hong Kong police for its allegedly "inhumane actions" against its own citizens.

"If you continue to abuse, harass or harm protesters, we will continue to deface and take every web-based asset of your government off line," it said.

The hacking collective has a history of supporting political protests such as the Occupy movement that saw sit-ins in the financial districts of London and New York, as well as demonstrations during the Arab Spring.

Contacted for comment by CBR, the Chinese Embassy in London has yet to respond.