Extreme Outrage At Protester Violence

The government again strongly condemned ‘masked rioters’ for committing acts of violence across the city on Sunday, noting in particular that police officers were “obviously” targeted for attacks.

A spokesman noted that an officer’s neck had been slashed with a sharp-edged object, another officer was assaulted, and petrol bombs were thrown at the Mong Kok police station and at a police vehicle.

The spokesman said the attacks are outrageous, and also noted that MTR facilities, Legco members’ offices, and banks and shops were also vandalised.

The government also said the protesters helped to again paralyse road and rail traffic by blocking roads in various districts, throwing objects onto the train tracks in Shatin, and vandalising Light Rail tracks.

It said the MTR was forced to close many stations down early, “causing immense inconvenience and anxieties among the public.”

The spokesman added that the burning of a national flag in Wong Tai Sin was a challenge to national sovereignty, and once again called on peaceful protesters to draw a line between themselves, and their violent, radical counterparts.

"The HKSAR government strongly condemns the rioters' violent acts and will curb the violence with the greatest determination,” the spokesman said.

“It appeals to members of the public who took part in peaceful demonstrations to dissociate themselves from the rioters, uphold the rule of law which is Hong Kong's core value and work together with the government to restore public order".