Yang Guang (C), a spokesperson for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, touches upon recent protests and violent incidents in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) at a press conference in Beijing,China, July 29, 2019. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

Yang Guang, a spokesperson for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council (HKMAO), made the remarks on the recent protests and violent incidents in the HKSAR at a press conference held in Beijing on Monday.

Yang reiterated Beijing’s support for Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, together with relevant departments and police to protect the rule of law. He suggested Hong Kong realize measures to help young people better deal with housing and labor issues and restore  order as soon as possible.

The spokesperson said China’s central government will continue to implement the principle of "one country, two systems" and ensure that this principle remains unchanged and is not bent or distorted in practice. He said Beijing hopes that Hong Kong’s various sectors firmly oppose violence and safeguard the rule of law, adding  that the most important task for Hong Kong going forward is to prosecute violent and illegal acts. He said no protest could do harm to national security, challenge the central government’s authority and the Basic Law.

Mr. Yang also said that attempts by some irresponsible figures in the West to stoke turbulence in Hong Kong and curtailing China’s development will fail.