HK rioters no longer act over extradition bill

The criminal actions by a few rioters in Hong Kong show that their purpose is no longer related to the extradition bill but to paralyze the Hong Kong government and make Hong Kong an independent political entity, said a spokesman for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council on Tuesday.

Yang Guang, spokesman of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, said at a news conference on Tuesday in Beijing that "we have reached a crucial moment to safeguard the bottom line of the 'one country, two systems' principle and maintain Hong Kong's prosperity and stability."

Yang said the Hong Kong situation triggered by the revision of the extradition bill has deteriorated and the purpose of the rioters no longer has anything to do with the bill amendments.

He said the rioters did not hesitate to violate the law and commit violence to willingly serve external forces and anti-China forces.

Their purpose is to "disrupt Hong Kong order, paralyze the SAR government, then seize the jurisdiction of the region and turn Hong Kong into an independent or semi-independent political entity," he said, adding that they aim to undermine the "one country, two systems" ultimately.

According to Yang, three rioters ambushed a police officer on Aug 30 and attacked the officer with a knife, causing him serious injury in many parts of his body. "The cruelty has reached the level of madness," he added.

On Aug 31, rioters held illegal gatherings in crowded areas, tossed petrol bombs at police officers and government buildings, and threw tear gas into the military camp of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison.

On Sunday, a small number of radicals rushed into the Tung Chung metro station and damaged the metro control room, seriously threatening the safe operations of the subway. They also blocked traffic to the airport, causing multiple lines to stop service for more than six hours.

Additionally, they incited students to go on strike from classes and used students as tools to achieve their political goals, Yang said, adding that these acts have far exceeded the scope of normal assemblies and are "violent crimes in any country, any region and any legal system."

"There is no middle ground and no room to hesitate or sway on the issue of stopping riots and unrest, which concern Hong Kong's future and destiny," he added.