With the social unrest in Hong Kong still underway, the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) announced an "anti-mask law" on October 4, which takes effect on October 5.

What kind of impact will that law have on the city? CGTN's Ge Yunfei talks to David Chiu Tat-cheong, chairman of i-Cable Communications Limited, one of Hong Kong's most popular TV and internet service providers.

Chiu also serves as chairman of the Far East Consortium International, which is one of Asia's largest developers and hotel operators based in Hong Kong. He also shares his views on the current media coverage of the protests.

Q: Do you think the launch of the anti-mask law is a good idea? And what's your take on this?

A: I think it's really necessary based on the present unrest. And the anti-mask law is not a Hong Kong invention. There are many countries such as Canada, the United States, Germany, (and) Spain, which are all extremely mature countries, that already had the law a long time ago.

Having young people wear masks allows them to think this is like a war game. But that comes with severe consequences. They have to know that one mistake they make could cause a life-long pain. So I think the anti-mask law is not only necessary at this moment but would also protect them in the long run.

Q: Hong Kong SAR government is trying to launch many measures to tackle social issues like providing more land supplies. Do you think that will work?

A: I think the Hong Kong government can really do a better job. For the young people in Hong Kong, they need 17 years to accumulate their wealth to buy a flat if they spent nothing on food or other things while the average time in other countries is about 8-10 years. So we got to do something about land supply. And when you say Hong Kong doesn't have enough land, I don't want to sound critical of our own government, but I don't really agree. Look at Singapore whose territory is smaller, but the government helps 90 percent of its people own their own flats. 

Q: So do you think that Hong Kong government should learn from the example of Singapore's governing method?

A: I think so maybe. A lot of red tapes were made in 150 years of British administration, but I think we should completely drop their thinking. We should learn from Singapore or other countries which have little land but not the same problem as us.

Q: Media has played a crucial, or controversial role as some would say, in the on-going Hong Kong unrest. And some say Hong Kong's freedom of speech has been hurt while others claim Hong Kong still is one of the freest cities in the world. You have a very successful media company. In your mind, what kind of role should media play in social activities like this one?

A: I think the media have always enjoyed the freedom of speech in Hong Kong. And (the) media in Hong Kong still have a high standard.

But I think at this very critical moment in Hong Kong, media organizations, including my own company i-Cable and other companies, should all try to think what's good for Hong Kong in the long run.

The media must demonstrate fair, neutral, and unbiased opinions.

Q: What's your assessment of the current media environment in Hong Kong?

A: It could be better. And we cannot all blame the media. According to one of my company's colleagues, one of the technical issues was that anybody could go to the journalists association in Hong Kong and pay a few hundred Hong Kong dollars to get a jacket and call themselves journalists.

And I think it needs to be controlled. Unfortunately, some people have misused this freedom.

Secondly, not as a chairman of a medium but as an audience, I do see that the media sometimes cause disturbances when the police are simply trying to do their work. Journalists must be careful of their safety. They have to be a bit more cautious.

Q: Some reporters and media organizations are accusing the police force of targeting the reporters on site. Do you think both sides need some restraint?

A: As you can see on TV, there are lots of media and reporters in the conflict areas. In a situation like this, there will be some marginal conflicts between journalists and police.

It is inevitable because it's quite messy on the front line of the protests. But I don't think that's a deliberate act from both parties.