A principal official of the Commissioner's Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region expressed firm support for the SAR government's announcement of enacting the Prohibition on Face Covering Regulation on Friday.

The principal official said that it is completely legitimate and reasonable, and conforms with common practices in many other regions and countries in the world.

The principal official pointed out that the violent extremists in Hong Kong have ramped up illegal violence recently. On Oct 1, in particular, when the Chinese people were celebrating the much cherished 70th anniversary of the PRC, masked rioters went on rampage in the city, committed vandalism and arson, cornered and assaulted the police and citizens, and openly defaced and burned the national flag. Such acts have gravely undermined the rule of law in Hong Kong and tested the red line of the "One Country, Two Systems" principle. We firmly support the SAR Government in taking all necessary measures and strictly punishing the violent offenders in accordance with law.

The principal official urged again foreign forces to stop meddling with Hong Kong affairs, and called on the international community to support the just efforts of the SAR Government to stop violence, end the chaos and restore order.