Overriding task in Hong Kong is 'to stop violence'

Challenging 'one country, two systems' principle will not be tolerated, official says at symposium

The central government will not sit by if the situation in Hong Kong deteriorates to a point that Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government cannot handle, Zhang Xiaoming, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, said at a symposium in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, on Wednesday.

The central government has sufficient capabilities to quickly quell possible unrest as empowered by the Basic Law of Hong Kong, Zhang said.