Hong Kong: Carrie Lam condemns 'extreme use of violence'

(Patria) – The head of the autonomous territory of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam, condemned the protests on Monday, calling them an 'extreme use of violence'

During the protests, groups of demonstrators violently broke into the Legislative Council building and destroyed everything in their path.

The protests, marked by physical clashes with the police, were organized on the occasion of the 22nd anniversary of the handover of the former British colony of Hong Kong to China.

Yesterday's unrest is the culmination of otherwise peaceful protests against the proposed extradition law to China, which lasted about three weeks and prompted Carrie Lam to suspend, but not withdraw, the proposal.

The Chief Executive of Hong Kong held a press conference early Tuesday morning, during which she stated, among other things, that the break-in into the government institution building is 'something we must seriously condemn, because nothing is more important than the rule of law in Hong Kong'.

Since 1997, Hong Kong has been part of China, but as 'one country, two systems' as agreed with Great Britain. This arrangement guarantees Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy and rights.

The anniversary is usually marked by a peaceful march, but given that it coincided with the protests against the extradition law, the otherwise peaceful commemoration escalated into violence.

Opponents of the extradition law believe it could be abused by China to prosecute political dissidents from Hong Kong. Demonstrators also demand the release of detained activists, an investigation into alleged police violence, and express concern over Beijing's influence on Hong Kong, which threatens the rule of law and the special rights of the autonomous territory.

Official China issued a statement expressing 'shock and disgust' at the developments and stating that the protests 'cannot be tolerated' because they are an 'ultimate challenge to the rule of law in Hong Kong'.

US President Donald Trump supported the protests on Monday, stating that they 'demand democracy' and that 'unfortunately, some governments do not want democracy'.