Attempts by Taiwan's DPP to capitalize on Hong Kong issue doomed to fail: mainland spokesperson

BEIJING - A mainland spokesperson Wednesday warned that Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority has tried to gain politically from undermining the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.

"Such attempts are doomed to fail," said Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson with the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, in response to a question about the DPP's attack on the anti-mask law in Hong Kong despite the fact that the island has similar rules itself.

It is lawful and necessary for the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to enact the anti-mask law, which will contribute to fighting and containing violent crimes, as well as restoring social order, Ma said.

When commenting on Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen's recent remarks on Hong Kong, Ma said that agitating for "Hong Kong independence" and supporting violence has nothing to do with "democracy" and "freedom" but is a flagrant sabotage of the rule of law in Hong Kong and only aims to gain leverage for elections.