End unrest, restore order in Hong Kong, says China

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) – China has asked Hong Kong administration to deal strictly with protesters in order to restore normal life in the global financial hub, said media reports.

Normal life remained hit on third consecutive day on Wednesday in the region as transport services were suspended, an English language news website, Hong Kong Free Press reported.

The South China Morning Post, quoting a statement issued by the Beijing’s liaison office representing Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), said a harsher crackdown has become a necessity to end unrest and restore order.

“The city is sliding into the abyss of terrorism,“ the statement added.

A protester was injured on Monday morning when he was shot at close range by a police officer.

Defying the ban on the use of face masks, students boycotted classes and wore them as a mark of protest.

Lashing out at the protesters, Chief Executive Carrie Lam described them as “extremely selfish” for attempting to paralyze the vibrant business hub.

The Beijing liaison office said it was resolutely supporting the Hong Kong government in adopting every necessary measure to end the unrest and restore order as soon as possible. It asked the administration to arrest criminals and severely punish their violent acts.

The newspaper report said that Beijing has asked the Hong Kong administration, police and judiciary to “decisively adopt all necessary means to forcefully crack down on various acts of violence and terrorism.”

Hong Kong Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung told the Legislative Council that the wave of clashes -- largely at university campuses -- was destined to fail.

“Regardless of their demands, violence is not the way and it will not be successful,” he said.

Shun-Wen Wang, an associate professor from Chinese Culture University in Taiwan, said it was not a “One Country – Two Systems” issue.

“It is democratic versus authoritarian or totalitarian issue,” he told Anadolu Agency during a trip to Ankara.

“They (young people) think China is taking over their society and is bringing a different system, which is leading to stress,” Wang said.

Hong Kong is under China since 1998 under “One Country - Two Systems” rule. Beijing controls defense and foreign relations of the region situated at the southernmost boundary of China.

“China wants a prosperous, but not a democratic Hong Kong. They cannot let to have demonstrations, protests that will have cascading effect on other Chinese cities. There will be a chaos and a catastrophe for China and its leaders,” Chen said.