Mainland Media Call For 'tougher Line' In Hong Kong

Mainland's state-run media on Monday called for a "tougher line" on democracy protesters in Hong Kong, after a weekend of violence following Beijing's plans to tighten control over the semi-autonomous city.

"Intensifying violence in Hong Kong calls for tougher line to restore order," said the China Daily in an editorial.

The protesters "court the indulgence extended to them by friendly local and Western media outlets, while seeking to silence those trying to put the protests in the spotlight of truth", the daily said.

"They are doomed to fail simply because their violence will encounter the full weight of the law."

The editorial did not mention a knife attack on Sunday in Tai Koo Shing, which left at least four people wounded and the suspected attacker beaten up.

Beijing had warned on Friday after a four-day meeting of Communist Party leaders that it would not tolerate any challenges to its authority over Hong Kong, while laying out plans to boost patriotism in the city and change how its leader is chosen or removed.

China Daily also noted that the party plans to strengthen Hong Kong's legal system to "safeguard national security".

"Those Hong Kong residents whose lives have been disrupted by the intensifying violence of intimidation – instigated and organised by those hoping to use Hong Kong as a means to destabilise the nation – will be glad when life returns to normal," the newspaper said. (AFP)