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Hong Kong May Be Considering Emergency Measures to EndUnrest

Joyce Huang

   The Hong Kong government is probably considering measures to strengthen
   its crackdown on anti-government protesters after Chinese President Xi
   Jinping issued a direct warning, urging the city to "end violence and
   restore order," analysts say.

   Stepping up the suppression, however, may backfire, fueling tensions in
   the city and further hurting its economy if protesters refuse to back
   down, they add.

   Xi told a summit in Brazil Thursday that "persistent radical and
   violent crimes have seriously trampled on the basic principle of 'one
   country, two systems' scheme" in Hong Kong, the state news agency
   People's Daily reported.

   Xi's warning

   "Stopping the violence and restoring order is Hong Kong's most urgent
   task at present," he said.

   Xi also expressed support for the city's chief executive, Carrie Lam,
   the Hong Kong police, and its judiciary in punishing what he called
   "violent criminals."

   "The Chinese government is unwavering in safeguarding its sovereignty,
   security and developmental interests, implementing the 'one country,
   two systems' scheme and deterring any interference by foreign forces in
   Hong Kong affairs," he added.

   While a reiteration of Beijing's long-held stance, Xi's remarks are
   effectively a direct order for Lam to get tough and end the city's five
   months of political unrest, said Sang Pu, a critic and Hong Kong
   commentator.

   "This [stance] was reiterated by Xi Jinping in his statement in Brazil
   and this Brazil statement makes sure that suppression overrides and
   prevails everything else. And this suppression will not go away very
   easily," Sang said.

   On Friday, protesters continued to paralyze parts of Hong Kong for a
   fifth day, forcing schools to close and blocking some main roads, as
   university students barricaded campuses and authorities struggled to
   calm the violence.

   Lam also condemned an "attack" in London on Hong Kong Secretary for
   Justice Teresa Cheng during a confrontation with protesters, during
   which Cheng suffered "serious bodily harm," according to Hong Kong
   government statement. Lam said the incident was barbaric and violated
   the principles of a civilized society, the Hong Kong government said.

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