China calls for probe of violent actions in Hong Kong
China has denounced recent violent actions by protesters in Hong Kong as an “extreme challenge” to the rule of law, calling for a criminal investigation into the violence during which the city’s parliament was temporarily occupied.
A representative of China’s Hong Kong affairs office condemned the violence by some protesters on Tuesday, describing it as a challenge to the “one country, two systems” formula under which the city is ruled.
Hong Kong, a former British colony, was returned to China in 1997. Under the “one country, two systems” system, it has a level of autonomy, including a separate and independent legal system.
On Monday, the anniversary of the handover, groups of mostly young people breached the Legislative Council and occupied the building for hours. Acts of vandalism also occurred.
After midnight, however, police secured the building and dispersed the protesters.
The incident followed three weeks of anti-government protests against an amendment to the city’s extradition law.
Though the city’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam suspended the proposed legislation last month, protests continued with a demand for her resignation and a complete withdrawal of the bill.
Lam condemned “the extreme use of violence,” on Tuesday, describing the vandalism as “heartbreaking and shocking.”
“We have seen two entirely different scenes… The march was peaceful and generally orderly,” she said. “The second scene… is the extreme use of violence.”
China, which has denounced former violent protests, also asked Hong Kong to investigate the “criminal responsibility of violent offenders” on Tuesday.
“These serious illegal actions trample on the rule of law in Hong Kong, undermine Hong Kong’s social order, and harm the fundamental interests of Hong Kong,” the relevant State Council office said.
An official newspaper also called for “zero tolerance” of the recent incident in an editorial on Tuesday.
“Out of blind arrogance and rage, protesters showed a complete disregard for law and order,” said both the Chinese and English versions of the Global Times.
Beijing said that the China liaison office supported Hong Kong authorities to investigate the violent acts.
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