China threatens Hong Kong protesters

BEIJING — The top Chinese military official in Hong Kong called the violent protests of recent weeks “absolutely intolerable” in a threatening speech that coincides with the release of an extraordinary video showing Chinese soldiers practicing firing on demonstrators.

Together, the speech and the video served as a thinly veiled warning to the protesters in Hong Kong that China’s patience is growing thin and it is becoming increasingly willing to use force to quell the demonstrations in the semiautonomous territory.

“We resolutely support the action to maintain Hong Kong’s rule of law by the people who love the nation and the city, and we are determined to protect national sovereignty, security, stability and the prosperity of Hong Kong,” said Maj. Gen. Chen Daoxiang, commander of the People’s Liberation Army Garrison in Hong Kong.

He described the demonstrations of the past eight weekends as “absolutely intolerable.”

The protests began as demonstrations against an extradition bill but have morphed into wider calls for democracy. The demonstrations have turned violent at times and have become increasingly disruptive, but protesters have vowed to continue agitating for greater rights and fewer restrictions imposed by Beijing.

Chen made the remarks at a reception in Hong Kong on Wednesday night to mark the 92nd anniversary of the PLA’S founding; Carrie Lam, the Beijing-backed chief executive of Hong Kong, attended the event.