Ma Hui, Minister of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, has called on Western media to stop labeling the people who joined the protests in Hong Kong Special Administration Region as pro-democracy protesters during an interview with Sky News. 

"Using the label doesn't represent the actual truth, because they are using the cover of pro-democracy to engage in violent, illegal activities. They ransacked the Legislative Council, attacked the Central Government's Liaison Office in Hong Kong, defaced the national emblems and damaged the national flag. So they engaged in violence, illegal activities. You shouldn't misuse the label," Ma told the presenter of News Hour of Sky News on Friday. 

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"What is happening in Hong Kong now is very obvious. Apart from some peaceful protests, some people have engaged in violent criminal activities. If the violence and the disorder continues, it will harm the interests of Hong Kong, harm the livelihood of the Hong Kong people, and also harm the interest of international businesses. So the position of the central government is very clear that if the situation continues to deteriorate and become uncontrollable for the Hong Kong SAR government, the central government will not sit on its hands," Ma stressed. 

Ma: 'One Country' is equally important to 'Two Systems' 

The Chinese envoy emphasized that the proposed amendment of Hong Kong's fugitive law does not violate the "One Country, Two Systems", and "One Country" is equally important to "Two Systems." 

"What we practice is 'One Country, Two Systems'. Hong Kong exercises a high degree of autonomy with Hong Kong people governing themselves, but under the one China framework. We have to remember that it's 'One Country, Two Systems', not 'two countries, two systems.'" 

"'One country' is equally important to 'two systems'. We cannot emphasize one to the neglect of the other," underlined Ma. 

"Actually the amendment of the ordinance does not violate the "One Country, Two Systems", nor does it encroach on their rights. To amend the ordinance is to plug the loopholes in the Hong Kong legal system. Actually, it contributes to justice rather than the opposite." 

Ma: It's unfair to accuse police of using excessive force 

Ma voiced his support for Hong Kong police in the interview, saying it is very unfair to accuse the police of using excessive force.  

"The Police Chief in Hong Kong has already made it clear that if the protesters followed the law, if the protests were peaceful, if the police were not attacked or provoked, the police would have had no reason to use force," he explained. 

"Even if they used force, it was the minimum level. I think Hong Kong police are very restrained compared to international standards. So we should find out who actually started the violence and who provoked the police, rather than accuse the police who is the symbol of rule of law. They are merely enforcing the rule of law," Ma continued.