Chinese state media calls Hong Kong’s ban on masks at protests ‘legal and reasonable’
- Unrest ‘severely damaging’ city’s law and order as well as ‘one country, two systems’ framework, official social media account Xiakedao says
- Parade of experts voice support for new law that has angered demonstrators
Xiakedao, a social media account run by overseas edition staff from People’s Daily, said in a commentary that the new anti-mask law, which took effect from midnight on Friday, was “legal and reasonable”.
It also said the law could help Hong Kong police to gather evidence, deter people from carrying out unlawful actions and prosecute criminals.
“Protesters openly humiliated [China] and burned [Chinese] flags during National Day, which should be a day for national celebration of the 70th anniversary of the country’s founding,” the commentary said. “[The protests] are severely damaging Hong Kong’s law and order and are a provocation [challenging] the ‘one country, two systems’ framework.
“You don’t need to hide yourself if your appeal is legal and peaceful – only criminals fear they’ll be discovered,” it added. “While the anti-mask law won’t help to catch all the thugs soon, it will deliver a heavy blow to the protesters.”
