Top Business Chamber Condemns Yuen Long Violence

The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC) has strongly condemned Sunday's violence triggered by the extradition bill saga.

In a statement, the HKGCC said "the horrific attacks on innocent people in Yuen Long, and extremely worrying development of people taking the law into their own hands, have shocked and disgusted the people in Hong Kong."

The chamber said protests are becoming increasingly confrontational "while factions are being created that pit citizen against citizen". It says it respects people expressing their views in peaceful protests, but it also cited the storming of Legco, attacks on the police headquarters, the violence at New Town Plaza in Sha Tin a week ago and the vandalising of the liaison office on Sunday, insisting they should not be tolerated.

The chamber said the situation is raising concerns both locally and internationally about Hong Kong's commitment to the Basic Law and the rule of law, and called for a "swift resolution" to the current impasse.

The HKGCC called on the government to formally withdraw its extradition bill and set up an independent commission of inquiry into the events that are at the root of tensions.

It also said the officials must be held responsible "for the poor manner" in which the bill was handled, in accordance with the ministerial system which aims to promote accountability.

And the chamber urges protesters to denounce violence and ensure future demonstrations are peaceful.

Many business groups, including the HKGCC, had expressed concern about the now-suspended extradition bill, fearing business people would be targeted. The government later exempted nine mostly white-collar crimes from the ordinance, winning the chamber's support.