Vice-Premier calls for committed efforts from all HK governing bodies to end violence

China's Vice-Premier Han Zheng on Wednesday said that ending the violence that has gripped Hong Kong for nearly five months remains the special administrative region's top priority, and is the shared responsibility of the SAR's executive, legislative and judicial authorities.

Han said the central government will continue its unswerving support to the SAR government and its police force to end violence and restore the city's law and order, as "no country or region in the world" would tolerate such extreme violent and destructive activities.

Han, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party (CPC) of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with the Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor in Beijing on Wednesday morning.

This is the first public meeting between Han and the Hong Kong leader since the protests initiated by the Extradition Bill Incident broke out in June and rocked the city. It followed President Xi Jinping's meeting with Lam in Shanghai on Monday, in which Xi affirmed Lam's work in dealing with the unrest, and expressed confidence in her administration.

In Han's opening remarks before a closed-door meeting, he reaffirmed the central government's high degree of trust and appreciation in Lam, as well as confidence in the SAR government and the Hong Kong Police Force in dealing with what he described as the "most severe situation" since the city's return to the motherland.

Principles challenged

Han noted that radical separatists' disruptive acts have trampled the city's rule of law and challenged the bottom line of the "one country two systems" principle, which undermined the overall interests of Hong Kong.

Stressing that ending the violence should be the wishes of the whole society, Han also expressed confidence in Lam's administration for taking effective measures to resolve housing and other livelihood issues.

The SAR government will always have the central government's firm support in maintaining Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, Han said.

He also noted that the just-concluded fourth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee passed a series of decisions in which the Party emphasized the importance of strictly upholding the national Constitution and the Basic Law in governing HKSAR, as well as to establish a legal system in the SAR to safeguard national security.

It shows the central government's unswerving stance and confidence in implementing the "one country, two systems" principle, Han remarked.

Thanking the central government's firm support, Lam, following Han's speech, pledged that the SAR government will firmly uphold the "one country, two systems" principle and rule of law in stopping the violence.

Lam said she's very saddened to see that one-third of over 3,000 arrested during the city's violent protests are students, and is deeply hurt to see the financial hub's positive momentum in economic development undergoing a heavy blow.

She said the SAR government is determined to end violence and provide a peaceful environment for the whole city to restart.

Also attending the meeting were State Council Executive Deputy Secretary-General Ding Xuedong, Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Zhang Xiaoming, and Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Wang Zhimin.

Shared responsibility

Hong Kong Barrister and Legislator Priscilla Leung Mei-fun agreed with Han that the city's executive, legislative and judicial organs share the common responsibility in quelling violence.

She noted that the work of the higher bodies is never separate when it comes to city governance. Under the spirit of the Basic Law, the three parties should should complement and keep a check and balance on each other's functions, she added.

"Following the severe situation brought by protracted violence, concerted efforts from the whole society, particularly from the three governing forces, are much-needed in bringing Hong Kong back on track," Leung said.

Local commentator Lau Siu-kai told China Daily that the central government's recognition will help boost the morale of the embattled police, supporting them to withstand the unprecedented political storm. Lau is the vice-president of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, the nation's leading think tank of Hong Kong affairs.

Lau said the police force deserves high honors considering its essential role and professional performance in combating the violence. Emboldened by trust from top authorities, the police could safeguard the city with more courage and confidence, Lau believes.

'One country, two systems' vital

Appreciating the central government's resolution of maintaining the "one country two systems" practice, Leung urged the SAR government to put greater emphasis on ensuring the public's better understanding of the policy.

She pointed out that the recent unrest showed that a certain number of Hong Kong people, including youngsters, civil servants and judicial officers, lack a thorough and comprehensive understanding of the essence of the concept.

She noted that the government may have neglected, or even condoned the problem in the past. Considering the consequences it has caused, Leung called for a greater determination to remedy the misconceptions.

Also responding to the issue, Lau said the plenary session raised stricter requirements for the SAR government to fulfill its constitutional obligation in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests.

He hopes the SAR government can adhere to the call and amplify efforts accordingly, to prevent the city from becoming a "safe haven of anti-China forces".