Hong Kong police chief urges peace at protests against reform package

New Commissioner of Police Stephen Lo Wai-chung has urged demonstrators to be peaceful in their planned protests during the government's electoral reform package debate and vote set for June 17.

He said the force would not hesitate to take action to maintain Hong Kong's rule of law.

"I have learned from open platforms that a few groups may use radical means during the protest," Lo said yesterday. "I call on them to protest lawfully and peacefully in expressing their views, without undermining the rule of law in Hong Kong or affecting other Hongkongers' rights."

He confirmed that a number of groups had applied to the police to hold a series of marches and rallies.

"We welcome their notifying us in good time, allowing the force to make preparations," Lo said. "We are closely monitoring the situation. The latest developments are taken into consideration in providing the training and in deploying the officers."

Last week, police sources said more than 7,000 police officers equipped with riot gear would be mobilised to deal with possible chaos when lawmakers debate and vote on the government's electoral reform package in the Legislative Council this month.