A spokesperson of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council spoke on July 2 of the violent act of storming the Legislative Council (LegCo) Complex in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

The spokesperson expressed firm support for the HKSAR Government and police in handling the incident, and for holding the violent offenders criminally accountable in accordance with the law.

July 1 is a day of great festivity for people from all walks of life in Hong Kong to commemorate the return of Hong Kong to the motherland and the establishment of the HKSAR, the spokesperson said.

Some ultra-radicals, however, under the excuse of opposing the HKSAR Government amending related ordinances, stormed the LegCo complex in an extremely violent manner and wantonly damaged facilities there, the spokesperson said.

Seriously violating the law, the act tramples the rule of law in Hong Kong, undermines social order and the fundamental interests of Hong Kong, and is a blatant challenge to the bottom line of "one country, two systems," the spokesperson said. "We strongly condemn this act."

The Central Government resolutely supports the HKSAR Government and police in implementing their duties in accordance with the law, and supports the HKSAR's related authorities in holding the violent offenders criminally accountable in accordance with the law, so as to restore the normal social order at an early date, guarantee residents' personal and property safety, and safeguard the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, the spokesperson said.

HK CE condemns 'extreme use of violence' and vows to follow up

Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor strongly condemned the extreme use of violence and vandalism by masked protesters who stormed into the city's legislature on July 1 night.

She vowed to follow up the violent acts as they have undermined the city's long-cherished value of the rule of law, one of Hong Kong's cornerstones.

Meeting with the press at the early hours of TJuly 2 after the police had dispersed protesters, Lam said the violent and chaotic scenes have saddened and shocked a lot of people.

"This is something that we should seriously condemn because nothing is more important than the rule of law in Hong Kong," Lam said.

Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu said those protesters have violated an array of serious offenses in the Public Order Ordinance, Crimes Ordinance and the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance.

Forcing their way into the LegCo is punishable up to two years under the Public Order Ordinance, Lee said.

Also condemning the act is the Commissioner of Police Lo Wai-chung, who said the protesters ignored repeated warnings by the police and resorted to violence.

The violent and radical behavior of protesters drew criticism from various sectors of the local community, who expressed strong condemnation for trashing one of the city's symbols of the rule of law.

Hundreds of radical protesters smashed glass walls of the LegCo Complex with wire mesh trolleys and metal poles on July 1 afternoon. Metal fencing of the building was also dismantled.

The clashes escalated at night as masked protesters, demanding a withdrawal of the extradition law amendment bill which had been suspended on June 15, broke into the LegCo Complex at around 9 pm. They tore pictures of LegCo presidents off the wall, tarnished the wall by painting profane language, and damaged facilities such as chairs and glass cabinets.

Protesters also besmirched the Hong Kong SAR emblem in the chamber by spraying it with oil paint.

Thousands of others occupied Harcourt Road outside the LegCo Complex, passing umbrellas and metal barricades into the complex.

The Hong Kong Police Force slammed the "illegal and violent" acts for posing serious threats to public safety and public order in a statement.

The police started to disperse the crowds around midnight.

In a statement issued on the afternoon of July 1, the SAR Government said it "strongly condemns and deeply regrets" the extremely violent acts committed by these protesters.

"Hong Kong is a society that respects the rule of law, and has never tolerated violence," the statement read.

LegCo President Andrew Leung Kwan­yuen decried the violence against the legislature in two messages relayed via his spokesperson. Leung said he is "deeply saddened and deeply regrets" such violent behavior.

Forty­two lawmakers, including Starry Lee Wai­king and Regina Ip Lau Suk­yee, issued a joint statement criticizing the "extremely radical and violent protesters" for seriously disrupting public order and stability. They called on society to show zero tolerance toward such acts.

Barrister Ronny Tong Ka­wah said that the protesters who conducted such violent acts are, at least, guilty of rioting, criminal damage and harm with intent.

The acts were not about expressing opinions but challenging authority, said Tong, who is also a member of the Executive Council, the top policy advisory body to Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet­ngor. No rationale can legitimize their violent acts, Tong stressed.

Stanley Ng Chau­pei, a Hong Kong deputy to the National People's Congress, said he was shocked by the illegal acts of some protesters, and added that they were "complete rioters".

What they did violated the rule of law — a core value that the SAR has adhered to — and posed a threat to the safety of police officers, LegCo members, and themselves, Ng said.

Violence is never an option for expressing views. The violent acts were nothing but an attempt to overthrow the SAR Government, Ng said.

On the same day, a large number of demonstrators took to the street to march against the government's extradition bill, which was relatively peaceful.