Zhang: Central govt has capacity to subdue HK unrest

Hong Kong — The central government will not sit by if the situation in Hong Kong deteriorates to a point where the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government could not handle it, Zhang Xiaoming, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, said in Shenzhen on Wednesday.

The central government has sufficient capabilities to quickly subdue the possible unrest, as empowered by the Basic Law of Hong Kong, Zhang stressed.

In recapping the past two months of chaos, Zhang said Hong Kong was facing "the most severe situation" since its return to the motherland in 1997.

Speaking to about 500 dignitaries from a wide cross-section of society, Zhang said the central government was concerned about the situation in Hong Kong and closely following developments there.

Zhang's remarks follow two earlier news conferences by the office to voice concerns about the turmoil in Hong Kong. Since June 9, anti-extradition bill protests descended into escalating violence and vandalism across the city that brought about wide disruption of public services along with attacks on police and the government.

Wednesday's meeting with key representatives from society aimed at sending out a loud and clear message, Zhang said.