Chinese paper says ‘foreign forces’ trying to create havoc in Hong Kong

BEIJING (Reuters): “Foreign forces” are trying to hurt China by creating chaos in Hong Kong over an extradition bill that has prompted mass protests in the former British colony, an official Chinese newspaper said on Monday.

Riot police surrounded Hong Kong’s parliament early on Monday after what had been a peaceful million-strong protest against the bill descended into running clashes between police and protesters.

Hundreds of thousands had jammed Hong Kong’s streets earlier on Sunday to protest against the bill in the biggest demonstration in years. Many said they feared it put the city’s vaunted legal independence at risk.

The China Daily said in an editorial the law was much-needed legislation.

“Any fair-minded person would deem the amendment bill a legitimate, sensible and reasonable piece of legislation that would strengthen Hong Kong’s rule of law and deliver justice,” it said.

“Unfortunately, some Hong Kong residents have been hoodwinked by the opposition camp and their foreign allies into supporting the anti-extradition campaign.”

Some protesters in the Special Administration Region (SAR) had been misled about the changes proposed in the law, while others were trying to promote a political agenda, the English-language publication said.