Hong Kong officials denounce protesters after clashes

Apr 12, 2011, 4:34 GMT

Hong Kong - Deputy Hong Kong leader Henry Tang warned protesters Tuesday that they were intensifying social conflict in the wealthy city after a series of clashes with police and officials.

The warning came after activists stormed a stage and snatched a microphone from Transport Secretary Eva Cheng during a demonstration against public transport fare rises on Saturday.

In March, Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang was taken to hospital with chest pains after being pushed by a demonstrator during a protest over the government budget. A man was later charged with assault.

Speaking on government-run radio RTHK, Tang said the 'radical approach' of protesters would 'merely intensify conflicts in society instead of resolving differences.'

Earlier, a senior government official described Saturday's incident as 'intolerable' and said the behavior of some young protesters went 'against how a normal civilized society would function.'

Hong Kong has seen an escalation in clashes between police, officials and protesters in recent months. Police used pepper spray against anti-government demonstrators in one large demo in March.

The sources of the tension are the city's widening rich-poor gulf and a belief among some younger protesters that their views are being ignored by the Hong Kong and Beijing governments.

Read more about HongKong Demos