In response to the protests in various districts on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon yesterday (August 31), a Government spokesman said the following:

     Despite the issuance of a notice of objection by the police, a large number of people took part in unauthorised assembly and procession in various districts on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon yesterday, extensively blocking thoroughfares and paralysing traffic on Hong Kong Island, seriously affecting emergency services and people's daily living.

     The radical protesters confronted police in various areas, hurled numerous petrol bombs at the Central Government Offices in Tamar, the Legislative Council building and the Police Headquarters as well as in other places, and attacked police officers with corrosive liquid and bricks. The radical protesters set fires in different places, vandalised public property, set up barricades, and damaged facilities at MTR stations such as platform screen doors. The fire at Hennessy Road was very fierce at one point, posing serious danger. The behaviours of the radical protesters gravely breach the public peace and pose a serious threat to the safety of police officers on duty and members of the public at the scene.

     The illegal and violent acts of the radical protesters continue to escalate with no regard for the safety of members of the public. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government severely condemns these acts. The police shall strictly follow up on them. The HKSAR Government will continue to uphold the rule of law and appeals once again to members of the public to say no to violence together, so that order can be restored in society as soon as possible.

Ends/Sunday, September 1, 2019
Issued at HKT 0:26

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