Govt condemns 'rioters breaching public peace'

Several ATM machines at branches of HSBC were smashed and set on fire. Photo: RTHK

The government has strongly condemned the "violent and illegal acts" committed by "rioters" during and after the New Year's Day march on Hong Kong Island, saying the police will take follow-up action seriously.



A government spokesman said it was regrettable that some people had used the peaceful march as cover and taken the opportunity to block roads, trash traffic lights, hurl bricks and petrol bombs, as well as set fires in various places and vandalise a number of ATM machines, banks and shops, posing a danger to people at the scene.



The spokesman said the situation was worrying, and the public are urged not to allow or tolerate any violence.



Noting that some people had flown Hong Kong independence flags, the spokesman strongly condemned what he said was a disregard for the SAR's constitutional order.



The spokesman stressed that the HKSAR government will not turn a blind eye to any unconstitutional acts that are against the "overall and long-term interest of Hong Kong society".



The statement also bemoaned the fact that some people on the march had carried flags of foreign countries.



"The HKSAR government rejects the interference by foreign countries in any form in the internal affairs of the HKSAR. Members of the public should not encourage foreign countries to do so," it said.