HK Must Expel All Its Dark Forces: HKMAO

The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) has warned that it has seen a "resurgence in violent activities" in the SAR as the coronavirus situation eases, saying the city will never be calm unless all the "violent black-clad protesters" are removed.

A strongly-worded statement was posted on the HKMAO's website on Wednesday morning, the latest in a series of recent comments on the SAR.

The statement said violence from protesters and their "if we burn, you burn with us" mentality is a "political virus" within Hong Kong society.

It said these "dark forces" are enemies of One Country, Two Systems, and that those in powers should "perform their duties in accordance with the law" and act to "suppress evil".

The statement said that ever since June last year, protesters have openly challenged One Country, Two Systems, trampled on the rule of law, disrupted public order, and worked to destroy the city's stability and harmony.

It also said that as the Covid-19 situation in Hong Kong has eased, protesters are now eager to make their next move.

"The purpose and intentions of the tyrannical forces, their behind-the-scenes commanders, organisers, and instigators are obvious, they want to drag Hong Kong off a cliff," it reads.

It goes on to say that protesters are smashing up Hong Kong at the expense of deeper and meaningful dialogue with the mainland, and that they are actively resisting the central government's full control over Hong Kong and trying to turn the SAR into an autonomous or semi-autonomous entity.

The statement said the more sympathisers these "tyrants" have, and the more tolerant people are of their actions, the greater the price Hong Kong will have to pay.

The HKMAO urged people to say no to violence, adding that "the central government will never sit idly by and watch this destructive force".

The statement ends by praising the Hong Kong Coalition, a new group set up by pro-Beijing heavyweights including former Chief Executives Tung Chee-hwa and CY Leung, and NPC Standing Committee member Tam Yiu-chung.

Speaking on an RTHK programme on Wednesday, Tam said the alliance is looking at ways to raise awareness about the Basic Law on the 30th anniversary of its promulgation.

He said that a better understanding of the Basic Law and the Chinese constitution could avoid misunderstandings about how One country, Two Systems should be implemented.