Leung Chun-ying urges Hong Kong residents to help bring radicals to justice

Leung Chun-ying, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, on Wednesday urged Hong Kong residents to provide clues to help bring radicals who blocked the airport and attacked a traveler and a reporter to justice.

At a press conference at his office, Leung said the violent incidents at the Hong Kong International Airport during the past two days were unacceptable and broke the law.

Leung Chun-ying, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. [File photo: IC]

Anyone who willfully commits violent acts at an international airport that endangers, or likely to, the safety of the airport or of other people, whether by any device, substance or weapon or otherwise, faces a sentence up to imprisonment for life, according to the Aviation Security Ordinance of Hong Kong.

Leung called on young people who had been misled into blocking the airport to return to reason and understand the criminal consequences, and the public to put pressure on the radicals so that they will not dare to commit violence acts. He also urged people from industrial and commercial sectors to stand out and voice their opinions.

The violence at the airport does not represent Hong Kong, Leung said, adding that the majority of Hong Kong people are peaceful, rational and law-abiding. "Hong Kong people welcome compatriots from the mainland to visit Hong Kong more for tourism, sightseeing, study and work."

Leung proposed a reward fund to encourage residents to provide clues and help the police capture radicals who insulted the country, attacked the police and disrupted social order.

"Hong Kong people enjoy freedom of speech, press and assembly and the right to strike, but must not bring politics to work or mix political stances, views and actions with work," Leung said.