Beijing’s Hong Kong affairs office condemns protesters who threw Chinese flag in the sea
- Small group holds ceremony in Tsim Sha Tsui hours after demonstrators had taken down the national symbol
- Official bodies condemn action as an affront to national dignity and say it trampled on the principle of ‘one country, two systems’
Beijing’s top body overseeing Hong Kong affairs on Sunday condemned the actions of protesters who threw the Chinese flag into Victoria Harbour.
A small group of government supporters had earlier gathered in Tsim Sha Tsui to raise the flag again following the incident during Saturday’s protest.
Both the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) and the central government’s liaison office in the city strongly condemned the targeting of the national flag.
A spokesperson for the HKMAO said the act seriously violated the law, flagrantly offended national dignity and trampled on the “one country, two systems” principle.
It also reiterated Beijing’s backing for the police, but unlike previous statements it did not express support for the city’s government and chief executive.
The liaison office said the act was “another public provocation against the dignity of the country” – referring to an incident on July 21 when protesters vandalised the national emblem outside the office in Sai Ying Pun.
