Ban on masks a 'legal deterrent to violence'

Experts on the Chinese mainland familiar with Hong Kong legislation said a new regulation in the city that bans facial coverings at protests and assemblies is reasonable and in compliance with legislative procedure.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, invoking the Emergency Regulations Ordinance, put the Prohibition on Face Covering Regulation into effect last week after four months of violent protests and attacks in the city.

Radicals, who obstructed traffic, threatened innocent people and attacked police, protected themselves from the consequences of their crimes by wearing masks and helmets, with some even wearing gas masks.