Mainland reporter beaten by mob hopes HK and Chinese mainland maintain close ties

Fu Guohao, a 28-year-old reporter from Global Times, who was abused and tied up by black-clad radicals at the Hong Kong International Airport, said he still loves the city and hopes that his experience will not cause discord between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland.

In a video message to the people in Hong Kong who participate at an anti-violence rally on Sunday, Fu, still showing several bruises on his face and clad in a hospital gown, said he hopes the people of Hong Kong to do their best to maintain the city's stability.

On the evening of Aug 13, the reporter, though wearing a reflective press vest, was attacked by radicals who had crippled the airport for two days. Fu, with his hands bound by plastic strips, was verbally and physically abused for about an hour during a mass sit-in at the city's aviation hub. As he sat helpless, Fu shouted: "I support Hong Kong police. You can beat me now."

He was rescued and taken to hospital after police arrived at around midnight.

The video message was broadcast at a public rally at Tamar Park on Saturday, calling for an end to violence. Many people have spoken out at similar public rallies, after the city saw a spate of violent, illegal protests in the past two months that disrupted business, paralyzed traffic, damaged public properties, caused injuries and widespread fear and anxiety among the public.

According to the police, six people were arrested in connection with the disruption at the airport by the end of Friday. One of those arrested was a 19-year-old man, on suspicion of false imprisonment at the airport.