The Hong Kong High Court on Friday evening dismissed an application for an emergency injunction to halt the Hong Kong's newly established "anti-mask law."

The Hong Kong government established an anti-mask law on Friday in the latest drive to end the prolonged violence. 

Carrie Lam told a press conference that the government has invoked the power under the Emergency Regulations Ordinance and passed the Prohibition on Face Covering Regulation to "create a deterrent effect against masked, violent protesters and rioters." 

The law was supposed to come into effect at midnight on Friday. Offenders will be liable to a maximum fine of 25,000 dollars and imprisonment for a year.

Meanwhile, the violence continued. Violent protests have spread to 14 districts in Hong Kong after Friday afternoon.

Rioters committed destructive acts extensively on Friday, including setting fires, vandalizing MTR facilities, smashing glass panes of shops, throwing bricks and petrol bombs, and beating up MTR staff and bystanders.

The police have warned the protesters to leave and stop their illegal acts immediately. "We hope that all sectors of society will work together and not condone any acts of violence, and restore social order," police said in a midnight briefing.

Beijing on Friday showed its support of Hong Kong's newly established "anti-mask law," calling it necessary for combating and ending violent criminal acts and restoring social order.

It is necessary for the government of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to establish an anti-mask law to end the prolonged violence, said experts and overseas Chinese worldwide. 

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David Chiu: Anti-mask law is necessary

(Cover: Demonstrators rally, calling for anti-mask laws in Hong Kong, August 28, 2019. /Xinhua Photo)