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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr Lai Tung-kwok, at a media session after attending a radio interview today (February 13):
Reporter: Mr Lai, Beijing has concluded the unrest in Mong Kok was orchestrated by separatists. Is the Government reaching the same conclusion it was orchestrated by separatists? And also the term " Fishball Revolution" you mentioned in the programme that it was wrong for people to use this term to justify the act, can you elaborate and explain more, please?
Secretary for Security: Yes. We have repeatedly stated in public what we feel about this case. The Police have arrested more than 60 suspects and 39 ¡]should be 40¡^ of them have been charged with riot. So, the position of Hong Kong SAR Government is clear. This is a violent case. And we have to take all possible actions legally to apprehend the culprits and bring them to the court.
Regarding your second part of the question, about the "Fishball Revolution". Firstly, the word "fishball" is totally misplaced. It appears to be that the word "fishball" points to hawkers were selling food and the Government took enforcement actions against them during the incident. This is totally wrong. In fact, at that time, officers from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department were patrolling there. They were not taking any enforcement actions. I hope that everybody would appreciate that patrolling in order to maintain certain order is essential in view of the local situation. The crowd was there, so many people coming and going around, so we must be present there. There was nothing called enforcement actions. Officers from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department were surrounded by a group of above 50 persons and one of the officers was hurt. That's why they asked the Police for assistance. So, that's nothing to do about hawkers selling and taking enforcement actions. As regarding "revolution", it implies that all the actions amounting to a riot situation are justifiable. Is it justifiable? I think every Hong Kong residents can reach a conclusion.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Saturday, February 13, 2016
Issued at HKT 14:58
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