Hong Kong must be uncompromising in clamping down on lawlessness

President Xi Jinping has expressed the central authorities' strong support for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government led by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and issued a stern warning to the rioters and the "black hands" supporting them backstage.

His remarks on the situation in Hong Kong, the strongest from the central government so far, should encourage the SAR government to take firmer action to bring the violence and chaos to an end and restore order in the metropolis.

While attending the 11th BRICS summit in Brasilia, capital of Brazil, on Thursday, Xi said the continuous radical violent activities in Hong Kong have seriously trampled on the city's rule of law and social order, disturbed Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and challenged the bottom line of "one country, two systems".