Hong Kong people opposing violent protests call for peace and order

A joint statement from Hong Kong residents calling for an end to violent protests was published on the front page on multiple newspapers in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today.

In the statement, titled "Hong Kong has had enough!" and signed by "native residents who love Hong Kong", they made five appeals: Support the HKSAR government, end all sabotage and riots, punish all illegal acts, restrict all assemblies until order is restored, dissuade students from participating in illegal activities, and punish media who publish incorrect information.

Images of the statements "Hong Kong has had enough!" and "Hong Kong people, can you still keep silent?" [Photo: cctv.com]

Another full-page letter, titled "Hong Kong people, can you still keep silent?" also appeared in several mainstream Hong Kong newspapers on Thursday. The article was signed by "a group of people who don't want to be silent anymore". It said that people were silent at first, because the protesters are young and immature. But when the protesters attacked police, blocked roads, jostled tourists, and beat journalists, everyone remained silent. They said that if no one stands up to defend anyone else, Hong Kong will sink in silence. They are calling for the public in the city to speak out.

Neon lights at the shore buildings near the Victoria Harbor in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on June 26, 2017. The lights showed the flags of the People's Republic of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. [File Photo: IC]

Sixteen celebrities from the culture and arts industry in Hong Kong signed a similar statement condemning the unlawful behavior that has taken place in the territory over the past few days. It stressed that the rational expression of views and civilized tolerance of others are shared values that serve as the foundation for Hong Kong's cultural prosperity, and that these values are an important cornerstone for harmony and stability.

During Tuesday's unlawful sit-in at the airport, two men from the Chinese mainland, a tourist and a journalist, were beaten and abused by black-clad protesters. Hundreds of flights were canceled due to the disruption caused by the sit-in.