Tang Ping-keung, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) police commissioner, has said the police will take both "hard and soft" approaches when dealing with protesters.

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Speaking to reporters in Beijing on Saturday afternoon, Tang said police will not tolerate violent acts and that resolute action would be taken against protesters; however, human-oriented, more flexible approaches will be used in minor incidents.

During his first visit to Beijing since taking office Tang also met with Guo Shengkun, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and Zhang Xiaoming, director of the State Council's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office.

During the talks with Tang, Guo said the central government would continue to firmly support the HKSAR government to govern in accordance with the law, affirming the Hong Kong police's unremitting efforts to restore public order.

Tang told reporters that he had briefed central government officials on the current security situation in Hong Kong and discussed bilateral cooperation in police affairs between the HKSAR and the Chinese mainland.

The central government officials expressed support for the Hong Kong police and their work in curbing violence over the past six months, said the police commissioner.

Speaking about a previously approved public procession scheduled for this Sunday, Tang said he hoped it could be conducted peacefully but warned of police action in the event of any violence.

Earlier on Saturday morning, Tang attended a flag-raising ceremony at Tian'anmen Square.  

The commissioner said he was very excited and felt the strength of the country, which further strengthened the confidence and determination to ensure strict law enforcement by the Hong Kong police. 

The Hong Kong police will unite all social sectors and pool positive energy in fighting violence, protecting the rule of law and maintaining stability to achieve the goal of ending violence and chaos and restoring order as soon as possible, Tang said. 

He added that the Hong Kong Police Force will resolutely safeguard Hong Kong's rule of law and social order and contribute more to maintaining the region's prosperity and stability as well as the smooth and sustained implementation of the principle of "One Country, Two Systems." 

"We will work together and devote ourselves to stopping violence and restoring social order. We'll help Hong Kong return to the prosperity and stability under the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle," Tang said.  

On Friday, Tang met with Zhao Kezhi, China's Minister of Public Security, in Beijing.