Since July, Hong Kong's chaotic situation has continuously escalated as some radical protesters have provoked disturbances, including unlawful assemblies and demonstrations in communities throughout the city. Violent acts have severely affected the normal lives of local residents, undermining social order and challenging the rule of law in Hong Kong.

Though the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has repeatedly announced that it has completely halted the amendment of a fugitive bill that is intended to protect the law-abiding general public, protesters continued to escalate the violence and cause mayhem in the city.

On July 6, some protesters plotted and launched the so-called "Restore of Tuen Mun Park" demonstration. They not only clashed with police but also against the elderly and women, with some have attempted to obstruct roads and surround the Tuen Mun Police Station. Many locals are dissatisfied with their savage behaviors.

On the following day, protesters organized another demonstration in Kowloon, leading to a 50-percent drop of passengers' number through West Kowloon high-speed train station, compared with an average weekend. After that, some protesters blocked roads in Tsim Sha Tsui, an important shopping center for global tourists, leading most shops there to close early. Some residents also were besieged, beaten and kicked by violent protesters when arguing with them.  

As the situation worsened, the HKSAR government condemned the violent acts, called for law and order, and warned that extreme violence is pushing Hong Kong to a "very dangerous situation" and severely challenging the bottom line of the "One Country, Two Systems" principle.

However, the chaos is intensifying. On July 13, a demonstration in the name of so-called "Recovery Sheung Shui" evolved into violent clashes against police. Violent protesters vandalized public facilities, blocked main roads, set fires on streets and in front of police stations and attacked police officers with umbrellas, iron bars, suspected toxic powders and corrosive liquids, leading to at least 16 police officers injured. At night, some violent protesters continued to sabotage stores in the district, throwing objects into shops and damaging street signs. The police then launched a clearance operation in accordance with the law.

Hong Kong police, facing tremendous pressure, had to fire tear gas and used batons to disperse violent protesters to keep law and order on some occasions. Still, police kept great restraint when handling unlawful protests and only dispersed violent protesters with the minimum use of force. Western media however deliberately distorted the truth and tarnished Hong Kong police as brutal.

On July 14, some protesters removed a roadside fence in Sha Tin district to block roads, sharpened bamboo branches as weapons, and hurled bricks, umbrellas and other objects at police officers from high buildings. Fierce clashes broke out at New Town Plaza, injuring at least 10 police officers. An officer in plain clothes was attacked by a mob. Some officers suffered from mass brawl left with facial fractures. One police officer's finger was bitten off.

With the tension flaring up, it becomes quite apparent that the demonstrations have now evolved to overt provocations not just against police force, but against local residents and businesses in Hong Kong. Protesters staged another illegal demonstration in Yuen Long district after police had clearly objected it on July 27.

The protesters cut off traffic, sieged police vehicles, smashed car windows and smeared cars with insulting words. On July 28, they repeated the clumsy tricks to organize more unlawful demonstrations in the central and western parts of Hong Kong Island, set fire on streets and even used high-lethality weapons to attack police, seriously hindering traffic.

Facing the recent riots, a large number of Hong Kong residents showed their great gratitude and support to the police for their efforts in safeguarding peace and rule of law in the city. They believed that backing up police conveys not only their confidence in the local law enforcement, but also their confidence in the future.

One resident said, "We are here to show our support and regard to the police. We hope they will continue to strictly enforce the law, get rid of bullies and bring peace to law-abiding people."

Another noted "The Hong Kong police are very professional. They endured humiliation while carrying out their missions. We support the police in enforcing the law strictly. We've had enough of violence."

(The piece was translated and edited from a Xinhua article in Chinese.）

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