HK garrison: Acts of violence impermissible

HONG KONG - Calling it "absolutely impermissible", the commander of the Chinese People's Liberation Army garrison in Hong Kong joined the chorus in condemning the spate of violent protests that rocked the city in recent weeks.

Addressing a reception celebrating the 92nd anniversary of the PLA, Commander of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison Chen Daoxiang said the violent protests were putting the bottom line of the "one country, two systems" principle to the test.

Violence has also threatened Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, undermined the city's law and order and threatened the livelihood of Hong Kong people, Chen added.

The PLA Hong Kong Garrison will resolutely safeguard the country's sovereignty and security, as well as Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, said Chen. It will work with all sectors of society to create a better future for Hong Kong, he added.

The garrison is committed to performing its duties in strict accordance with the Basic Law and the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Garrisoning of the HKSAR, Chan said.

The garrison law stipulates that the SAR government may, when necessary, seek the central government's assistance from the PLA Hong Kong Garrison in the maintenance of public order or in disaster relief.

The Hong Kong garrison has never been deployed under this law since Hong Kong's return to the motherland in 1997.

Chen also voiced support for Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor to lead the SAR government in exercising law-based governance.

He also voiced support for the Hong Kong police to rigorously enforce the law and for SAR government agencies and the judiciary in punishing criminals engaged in acts of violence.

Chen also called on people who love the country and Hong Kong to defend the rule of law in the SAR.

Among the dignitaries attending the celebration were Chief Executive Carrie Lam; Tung Chee-hwa, vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee; Wang Zhimin, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Xie Feng, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR; and Cai Yongzhong, political commissar of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison.

Earlier this week, a spokesman for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the nation's top Hong Kong affairs authority, stressed Hong Kong's priority is to punish those engaged in violent acts. He appealed to people from all walks of life in Hong Kong to reject violence and stand firm in defense of the rule of law.