Pro-govt Side Plan Rival 'safeguard HK' Rallies

Pro-government figures are organising a series of demonstrations to "safeguard Hong Kong", with the first planned for Saturday evening at Tamar.

DAB chairwoman Starry Lee and former health secretary Ko Wing-man are among those organising the rallies.

They said the events will be peaceful and participants should dress in white and not wear any face masks or helmets, and should not engage in any conflicts.

One of the organisers of the rally, CPPCC member Kennedy Wong, said they want to provide a platform for people to voice their messages against violence.

“We are going to show to Hong Kong that we can voice [our views] in a peaceful manner and we hope the society can restore its peace and develop the economy, and allow the government to continue to press on and to develop its policy for people’s livelihood,” he said.

Meanwhile, a pro-Beijing group formed mainly of CPPCC delegates held a demonstration outside the police's headquarters in Wan Chai to show their support for officers.

The Friends of Hong Kong Association said it also handed over a donation of HK$10 million to the police welfare fund.

David Lan, who was the SAR's first secretary for home affairs, also joined the demonstration.

“Who gives us the rule of law in Hong Kong? Who gives us its confidence? It’s the Hong Kong police. They are doing a very good job,” he said.

“I’ve seen many police forces round the world. Among the cleanest, among the most law-abiding members on the force, you can find them in Hong Kong," he said.

"No force is a hundred percent perfect, but I can tell you that the Hong Kong police force can stand up and tell the world – we are among the cleanest,” the former official said.