An aerial view of Hong Kong, South China. (File photo: Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)

A 21-year-old man pleaded guilty to rioting in Admiralty in Hong Kong on Monday, becoming the first person to do so since anti-government protesters last year plunged the city in turmoil.

The man, a lifeguard, is accused of taking part in a riot on June 12, 2019.

An illegal rally had taken place around Admiralty on the day, with some participants staying around the LegCo building until midnight. Protesters assaulted law enforcers with bricks, homemade spears and petrol bombs, injuring at least 22 police officers.