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dpa
Hong Kong
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday that Chinese intervention remains an option if anti-government unrest “becomes so bad” that calling on Beijing for help cannot be ruled out.
In her weekly press conference, Lam noted that although she and the Chinese central government “still strongly feel” that Hong Kong should independently tackle the ongoing wave of unrest there, involving Beijing would nonetheless be permissible under the city’s constitution.
Last week, Lam invoked a colonial-era emergency ordinance in order to ban face coverings at public gatherings in an effort to crack down on the escalating protests, which have rocked the city for nearly five months.
Over the weekend, the mask ban was widely ignored at both peaceful and riotous assemblies throughout the territory.
Seventy-seven people, aged 12 to 41, have been arrested for wearing masks since the ban came into effect on Friday. In a police press conference later in the day, the force deferred to the government to comment on the possibility of involving the People’s Liberation Army in attempts to quell protests.
Regional Commander Kwok Yam Yung said that though “the authority to turn to the PRC army lies with the Central People’s government as well as the Hong Kong Government,” he believes that “with help from all sectors of society” the police are capable of handling the situation effectively.
Over the weekend the police made 241 arrests for charges including unlawful assembly, possession of an offensive weapon and facial covering.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday that Chinese intervention remains an option if anti-government unrest “becomes so bad” that calling on Beijing for help cannot be ruled out.
In her weekly press conference, Lam noted that although she and the Chinese central government “still strongly feel” that Hong Kong should independently tackle the ongoing wave of unrest there, involving Beijing would nonetheless be permissible under the city’s constitution.
Last week, Lam invoked a colonial-era emergency ordinance in order to ban face coverings at public gatherings in an effort to crack down on the escalating protests, which have rocked the city for nearly five months.
Over the weekend, the mask ban was widely ignored at both peaceful and riotous assemblies throughout the territory.
Seventy-seven people, aged 12 to 41, have been arrested for wearing masks since the ban came into effect on Friday. In a police press conference later in the day, the force deferred to the government to comment on the possibility of involving the People’s Liberation Army in attempts to quell protests.
Regional Commander Kwok Yam Yung said that though “the authority to turn to the PRC army lies with the Central People’s government as well as the Hong Kong Government,” he believes that “with help from all sectors of society” the police are capable of handling the situation effectively.
Over the weekend the police made 241 arrests for charges including unlawful assembly, possession of an offensive weapon and facial covering.
