Spokesperson supports HKSAR in outlawing face covering in protests

It is necessary for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to establish an anti-mask law, a spokesperson said Friday.

The Chinese national flag and the flag of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region flutter in Hong Kong. [File photo: IC]

Yang Guang, a spokesperson for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, said this move will contribute to fighting and containing violent crimes, as well as restoring social order.

The HKSAR government announced Friday that it has invoked the power under the Emergency Regulations Ordinance and passed the Prohibition on Face Covering Regulation.

Violent activities, which have lasted for over four months, are escalating in Hong Kong, Yang said.

Hong Kong's situation has clearly showed that the ordinance amendment issue has changed in its essence and is evolving into a Hong Kong version of "color revolution" under the intervention of external forces, Yang noted.

The greatest risks facing Hong Kong are unrestrained violence and insufficient rule of law, Yang said, noting that under such circumstances, the HKSAR government's ban comes as a legitimate, reasonable and very necessary move.

Many countries and regions have carried out anti-mask legislations, he said, adding that enforcing the ban in Hong Kong will not affect Hong Kong residents' rights and freedom prescribed by law, including their freedom of demonstration and assembly.

Yang said the chaotic situation in Hong Kong can not continue endlessly, noting that it has come to a crucial moment to end violence and chaos with a more clear-cut attitude and more effective measures.

He also expressed confidence in the ability of the HKSAR government led by Chief Executive Carrie Lam to safeguard the rule of law in Hong Kong, protect all Hong Kong residents' freedom from fear of violence, and restore social order as soon as possible.