China: Hong Kong protests contest 1 country, 2 systems

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) - China said on Tuesday that anti-government protests in Hong Kong were a challenge to the "one country, two systems" principle enshrined in the autonomous region's constitution.

"The central [Chinese] government staunchly supports the Hong Kong SAR [Special Administrative Region] government and the police to exercise their duties in accordance with the law, and supports relevant authorities of the Hong Kong SAR to seek responsibility from the violent criminals in accordance with the law," Beijing's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office said in a statement carried by the Hong Kong Free Press online newspaper.

"Such serious illegal acts trampled on Hong Kong’s rule of law, damaged Hong Kong’s social order, harmed Hong Kong’s interests -- it is a public challenge to the bottom line of 'One Country, Two Systems,'" the statement added.

The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council assists the Chinese Premier in dealing with affairs related to the two autonomous regions.

On Monday evening, anti-government protesters stormed the city’s Legislative Council building, breaking glass doors and prying open gates at the rear of the building.

Hong Kong witnessed massive anti-government protests early dawn on July 1, marking the anniversary of the region’s handover to China in 1997 after British colonial rule ended. Beijing looks after foreign and defense policies of the autonomous region.

The region has been witnessing protests for the last several weeks after Chief Executive Carrie Lam proposed an amendment to the current extradition law, making it legal to send suspects detained in the city to mainland China on mere suspicion.

A day after the violence, the city is witnessing tense calm, reports from the region said.

- Action against offenders

After Monday’s incidents, Legislative Council President Andrew Leung said the legislature would not hold meetings over the next two weeks, following the damage to the premises.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the storming of the legislative council by protestors was an "extreme use of violence."

"We have seen two entirely different scenes…The march was peaceful and generally orderly,” she said at a news conference on Tuesday referring to annual July 1 march.

"I am extremely angered and saddened, and must strongly condemn these actions," she said, declaring serious action against the demonstrators.

- March organizers stand with protestors

In support of the protestors, the Civil Human Rights Front said on Tuesday: "Although we have no hopes of seeing such acts, prompted by tyranny, we understand the choice made by resisters. Last night, a group of students took a gamble without regard for their own selves, and were actually braver than any of us."

"We can have different views on these actions, but we urge you all not to blame [the protesters] and not to distance yourselves [from them]," the group said, adding that nearly 550,000 people attended the rally.

The protestors sought a complete rollback of the amendment bill to the Hong Kong extradition law. However, Lam refused to do so, instead, the government indefinitely postponed its reading in the legislative council.

- Washington reacts

The U.S. urged "all sides" in Hong Kong to avoid violence, in a statement by the country’s State Department.

U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House: "Well, they’re looking for democracy and I think most people want democracy. Unfortunately, some governments don’t want democracy."

"That’s what it’s all about. It’s all about democracy. There’s nothing better," he added.