A spokesperson for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council on Tuesday condemned the violent activists for inciting strikes on campuses in Hong Kong.

The central government firmly supports the SAR government, educators and the general public in taking effective measures to stop anyone from inciting young students to participate in radical activities, so as to protect students' rights to education and restore purity and tranquility on campus, said spokeswoman Xu Luying.

"Hong Kong independence" activists and a few radical forces in Hong Kong are sparing no effort to incite strikes on campuses, Xu said.

"Their aim is to kidnap these young students in the political war, and use them as a bargaining chip to put pressure on the SAR government and the central government," she said.

"Further, they will foment a larger strike and allow the mess to continue its spread. How vicious they are!" she added.

A school is a place for increasing knowledge and improving one's personality, Xu said, adding that, "But it is in such a sacred place that some forces, in order to achieve their unspeakable political schemes, have been willing to extend their black hands to minors who are not yet mentally sound."

A total of 15 minors under the age of 16 have been arrested since June, the youngest of whom was just 12 years old. On Saturday, police arrested a 13-year-old protester with two petrol bombs hidden on his body, according to Xu.

"We see clearly that the radicals and the black hands behind the scenes completely ignored the lives, health and future of these young people, making them victims of the violent activities and 'political fuel' for those people with ulterior motives," Xu said.

Schools are the main front for education, and teachers are the first responsible individuals for school education, she said, adding that a related regulation in Hong Kong stipulates that teachers have the responsibility and obligation to cultivate students' abilities to be objective and analytical, and to give students a fair opportunity to receive education.

"But we have seen that some educators are using their power and resources to spread the seeds of violence and hatred, encouraging students to go on strike from classes, breaking the bottom line of the teaching profession, and even losing ethics and human morality," she said.

This is absolutely not allowed and should be given the severest punishment according to law, she added.