Hong Kong facing ‘most serious situation’ since handover amid intensifying protests, says top Beijing official Zhang Xiaoming

Gravity of protest crisis laid out to hundreds of political and business leaders in candid address by head of China’s top government agency overseeing Hong Kong affairs

Zhang says protests are growing in size, reach and intensity as he seeks to rally support from influential figures at Shenzhen meeting

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Zhang Xiaoming, who as head of Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office advises Beijing leaders on Hong Kong matters, speaks to hundreds of influential figures on the deepening protest crisis. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 12:49pm, 7 Aug 2019Updated: 1:42pm, 7 Aug 2019

Hong Kong faces its most serious threat since the city returned to Chinese sovereignty as the extradition bill saga intensifies, according to the head of China’s top government agency on Hong Kong affairs.

Zhang Xiaoming, director of Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office under the State Council, warned a group of 500 political and business leaders in mainland China of the gravity of the protest crisis as it becomes “bigger and more violent”.

Speaking in Shenzhen at the high-powered seminar on Wednesday, Zhang said Beijing was very concerned at Hong Kong’s “most serious situation” since 1997.

Anti-government protesters were out in force during Monday’s citywide strike amid escalating tensions in the city, sparked by the now-shelved extradition bill. Photo: Sam Tsang

“From June 9 until now, the extradition saga has lasted 60 days. It has grown bigger, with violent acts getting more intense, and wider sections of society being affected,” Zhang said, during the first five minutes of the event, when media were present.

“We can say Hong Kong is facing the most serious situation since handover,” he added. “Therefore, this meeting is very important and special.”