• Hong Kong continues the challenge to prohibit the wearing of masks. Metro and trains stopped after vandalism
  • Thousands on the streets in Hong Kong challenge the ban on wearing masks: barricades and fires

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08 October 2019If the situation in Hong Kong deteriorates, no option would be excluded, not even a direct intervention by China in order to restore order. The head of the local executive, Carrie Lam, announced this during a press conference in the Italian night.

"I feel strongly that we should find the solutions by ourselves and this is also the position of the central government, but if the situation should become bad, then no option can be excluded if we want Hong Kong to have at least one more chance." So Carrie Lam answered the question about what level of disorder was in order to be able to ask for help in Beijing in order to restore calm in the city shaken by almost four months of protests in favor of democratic reforms.

Lam invited foreign critics to accept the reality that the violent protests in Hong Kong are no longer "a peaceful movement for democracy", which began in June from the disputed extradition law in China. As for the Chinese intervention, it is foreseen by the constitution of the former British colony, the Basic Law, but the governor did not explain under what conditions she would eventually resort to.

On the new law concerning the prohibition of wearing masks at events and demonstrations, Lam noted that "it is too early" to say whether the initiative has achieved its objective or not. "I am sure that you too will agree that every new policy or law needs time to actually be applied." To date, only two people, a university student and a 38-year-old woman, have so far been formally accused of violating the new law, while their supporters have appeared in court with their faces covered.

The two, released on bail, will be held responsible for participating in illegal demonstrations, a crime punishable by up to 3 years of imprisonment, and the violation of the prohibition on masks, which involves the maximum penalty of one year in prison.