Society

Tang decries violence after chief executive attacked

By Guo Jiaxue (China Daily)
Updated: 2011-03-03 08:10

Security staff try to subdue a protester who forced his way onto a stage while Donald Tsang (first on left) was giving a speech on Tuesday. [Photo/China Daily]

HONG KONG - The Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has warned that a culture of hostility, tending to violence and spawned by the ill behavior of some legislators, is spreading into the community.

Henry Tang spoke out in response to an incident on Tuesday, during which the city's chief executive, Donald Tsang, was attacked and suffered injuries requiring treatment.

Tang cautioned that the disruptive behavior of some Hong Kong legislators was setting a bad example for the young people of the city.

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The chief secretary strongly condemned violence in any form as he met media representatives on Wednesday. Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong stood by his side.

There has been an increasing trend toward verbal and physical violence in the Legislative Council over a period of time, Tang indicated.

"Unfortunately, this culture of violence has been gradually spreading from inside the Council to outside," he said. "And what really concerns us is that this will have extremely bad influence on the young people, the next generation."

Tang noted that policies always can be improved, the government can respond better to the community. But he rejected physical confrontation and violence as suitable means of expression. He stressed that Hong Kong recognizes rational and peaceful expressions of opinion.

Several members of the League of Social Democrats had staged a protest on Tuesday, to express dissatisfaction with the 2011-2012 Hong Kong Budget, brought down February 23.

The demonstration took place, as the chief executive attended the opening ceremony of an exhibition marking the centenary of the 1911 Revolution.

The League of Social Democrats lost control over the demonstrators and the situation quickly disintegrated into chaos. Protesters suddenly charged the chief executive at the entrance to the museum.

A shriek arose from amid the disorder. Tsang was later seen holding his arms and mid section. He appeared to be in pain. A statement issued by a government spokesperson later confirmed one of the protesters "used his body to push the chief executive".

The chief executive required a short rest following the incident. The opening ceremony was delayed by half an hour.

Another protest erupted as Tsang delivered his opening address. A young man rushed at Tsang, making his way onto the stage before security guards fell on him and wrestled him off the platform. The decorations for the event were cancelled. The planned ribbon cutting was cancelled.

Tsang went to hospital at around 10 pm, complaining of pain in his chest. A doctor found redness and swelling on the left side of Tsang's chest. The doctor said if the chief executive had been struck on the sternum his injuries could have been more serious.

Hong Kong police arrested a 25-year-old man following the incident at the museum. He has been charged with common assault and released on bail. Police said they will step up protection of the chief executive as a result of Tuesday's incident.

Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council on Wednesday also expressed grave concern about the matter.

"The chief executive of the SAR, who was elected in Hong Kong according to the Basic Law and appointed by the central government, should be respected. An effective protection of his personal safety must be ensured. Such violence ought to be punished according to law," said a spokesperson.