Hong Kong protests: Chinese state media calls for ‘zero tolerance’
Territory’s leader Carrie Lam condemns protestors who occupied government building
The Chinese media has called for “zero tolerance” after protestors in Hong Kong stormed and vandalised the territory's parliament on Monday night.
Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam has accused protestors of “extreme use of violence” after the demonstrators tore down portraits and spray-painted pro-democracy slogans in the main chamber on Monday afternoon. Police eventually regained control by firing tear gas and charging at demonstrators.
The Times describes the uprising as “an unprecedented challenge to China’s Communist rulers,” while CNN predicts further unrest among the young protestors who have been “invigorated” by the partial victories they scored in the campaign against the extradition bill.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The protests represent a “personal challenge” to China’s leader Xi Jinping, The Guardian says. The “scale and persistence of the unrest, combined with growing street violence, may force him to get involved – or risk losing his ‘strongman’ image”, the paper adds.
Ms Lam said the sight of protestors occupying the legislature “really saddens... and shocks a lot of people”. The activists had defaced the emblem of Hong Kong, raised the old British colonial flag and shattered furniture.
Lam added that the actions of those who broke in were “something that we should seriously condemn, because nothing is more important than the rule of law in Hong Kong”.
She contrasted Monday's dramatic events with the annual handover commemoration march on 1 July, which she said reflected “the core values we attach to peace and order” in Hong Kong.
“I hope the community at large will agree with us that with these violent acts that we have seen, it is right for us to condemn it, and hope society will return to normal as soon as possible," she added.
The Chinese media has called for “zero tolerance” approach to the protests. “Out of blind arrogance and rage, protestors showed a complete disregard for law and order,” the Global Times, published by the ruling Communist Party’s People’s Daily, said in an editorial.
Hong Kong was returned to Chinese rule in 1997, but it is still administered separately under an arrangement known as “one country, two systems”. This means the city enjoys freedoms and rights unheard of on the autocratic mainland, but many residents believe Beijing is preparing to renege on that deal.
The response from Britain has reflected these concerns. British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, said: “I’ve never had to fight for my freedom. We can’t take freedoms for granted. Seeing those scenes, my heart goes out to those worried they’ll lose their precious way of life. I don’t support violence in any circumstances but I understand their worries about changes happening in Hong Kong.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published