HK govt can adopt any means to end crisis: Beijing

Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office officials say some protesters are trying to turn the SAR into an independent or semi-autonomous jurisdiction. Photo: RTHK

Wendy Wong reports

Beijing officials said on Tuesday that the central government will support the Carrie Lam administration in "adopting any necessary means" to protect citizens' safety and to uphold the rule of law in Hong Kong.



Speaking again on the ongoing crisis in the SAR, the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office officials said conditions in Hong Kong remain grim and Beijing wants peace and normality reinstated quickly.



Asked whether the central government has set a deadline for the SAR government to end the row, spokeswoman Xu Luying simply said that Beijing hopes the city can restore law and order as soon as possible.



Xu reiterated the central government's support for police operations in Hong Kong, saying officers have been restrained in dealing with the protesters.



Another spokesman, Yang Guang, said the central government firmly supports Chief Executive Carrie Lam as well as her hope to establish a communication platform with young people to find a solution to the ongoing crisis.



He said some radical protesters have ignored the desire of most Hong Kong people for peace and prosperity and have embarked on violent crime sprees.



He said the issue is not about people expressing their demands, but a "blatant political threat".



The officials said some protesters are trying to turn Hong Kong into an independent or semi-autonomous jurisdiction.