Beijing blasts radical resurgence in Hong Kong
THE Chinese central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong on Saturday condemned the return of lawlessness and violence to city streets during the Labour Day holiday.
The office lambasted militant activists for flouting the law, ignoring the ban on social gatherings during the Covid-19 pandemic, intimidating business owners and hurling Molotov cocktails at police vehicles.
A spokesperson for the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) accused radical protesters of undermining the rule of law and exacerbating economic hardships inflicted by last year’s riots and the ongoing pandemic.
The government’s social distancing measures specifically prohibit public gatherings of more than four people.
Crowds of protesters gathered on Thursday and Friday at several locations in defiance of government measures to control the spread of the coronavirus. They caused disruptions to businesses, as the owners struggled to return to normal operations.
The Molotov cocktail incident on Friday night took place in the shopping district of Mong Kok, Kowloon. A 15year-old juvenile was arrested in connection with the attack.
The incident evoked images of last year, when chaos and violence engulfed the city, disrupting commuter traffic, forcing businesses to close and threatening physical harm to any who opposed the protests.
The liaison office spokesperson accused perpetrators of the renewed unrest as having no concern for the people of Hong Kong, already stricken by financial hardship, after a series of blows to the local economy.
Amid a global fight for survival against a deadly virus, radicals again started to inflict violence on the local community and advocated the setting of explosives at public gathering places.
Young people have been particularly susceptible to opposition, anti-government rhetoric, and have contributed to the social malaise in large numbers, said the spokesperson. Protest violence and vandalism had been the main cause of rising unemployment and the collapse of many businesses.
The liaison office warned of an abysmal future for Hong Kong if criminal activities are allowed to run at large on city streets.
The spokesperson questioned, rhetorically asking where were the children of opposition politicians when their parents were inciting other young people to break the law. The radicalisation of young people came at the sacrifice of their future hopes, added the spokesperson.
The office a lso berated opposition law makers for block ing urgent legislation, including relief measures to help individuals and businesses ride out the aftermath of the pandemic.
The spokesperson also traduced opposition politicians for spreading divisive sentiments and deepening social rifts, in an attempt to further their political agenda.
The office expressed support for the SAR government and the police force to take effective measures to safeguard the city’s stability and public safety.