HONG KONG,  - The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Sunday voiced firm support for the HKSAR government and the Hong Kong police in resolutely enforcing the law and safeguarding Hong Kong's social stability and rule of law.

A small number of rioters instigated unlawful assemblies and threatened to "rekindle the war" and "fight back", with some confronting the police in Kowloon on Sunday afternoon. Those acts are suspected of violating the National Security Law in Hong Kong and local laws, a spokesperson for the office said in a statement.

The 2020 Legislative Council (LegCo) election in the HKSAR, originally scheduled for Sept 6, was put off for a year due to the COVID-19 epidemic. According to the decision made by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on Aug 11, the 6th term LegCo of the HKSAR will continue to discharge its duties for no less than one year until the commencement of the 7th term LegCo.

The related arrangements are reasonable and conform to public opinion, said the spokesperson.

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The street confrontations on the original election date blatantly violated the gathering restrictions in the face of the epidemic, and provoked relevant laws and the state will. It is a cold-blooded disregard for the lives, health and safety of the general public. We strongly condemn this.

Spokesperson for the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR

"The street confrontations on the original election date blatantly violated the gathering restrictions in the face of the epidemic, and provoked relevant laws and the state will. It is a cold-blooded disregard for the lives, health and safety of the general public. We strongly condemn this," the spokesperson said in a statement.

The spokesman pointed that while the third wave of the epidemic had been gradually brought under control, the situation remained serious as infection sources of nearly half of the confirmed cases remained unknown. However, at such a critical moment, those who instigated and organized street disturbances not only spread all kinds of rumors, but also constantly attacked and smeared the mainland's aid and support for Hong Kong's anti-epidemic fight, politicizing it while ignoring the safety of residents and public interest. They have no bottom line and are unethical, said the spokesperson.

The spokesperson stressed that with the National Security Law implemented, Hong Kong society had witnessed a positive change from chaos to governance.

"We warn the few people that in maintaining Hong Kong's national security and social stability, there is only a rigid principle and no room for flexibility. We have zero tolerance for any violation of the security law," said the spokesperson, citing that the Hong Kong police have solemnly declared that they will resolutely enforce the law and will not relent on any illegal act.

"We will not allow chaos in Hong Kong again."

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Earlier, the HKSAR too issued a condemnnation of the unlawful acts in Kowloon on Sunday afternoon.

A spokesman pointed out that participating in unlawful assemblies breaches the Public Order Ordinance, and the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation's prohibition on group gathering, and greatly increases the risk of virus transmission in the community and poses serious threats to other people's health.

Regarding the views on the National Security Law, the spokesman said the law is enacted to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, as well as to safeguard the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, and to protect the lawful rights and interests of the Hong Kong residents.

Regarding the Legislative Council (LegCo) election, the spokesperson said the epidemic is likely to last for a while. There may also be a winter surge. The LegCo performs important and substantive functions, and has an annual business cycle. Further, preparation work and the voter registration exercise will take months before an election can be held. It is reasonable and in the public interest to postpone the election for a year, the spokesman said.