HK police to match tactics to protesters' behavior

Tang Ping-keung, Hong Kong's new police chief, said the police will use "hard and soft" approaches to dealing with Hong Kong's situation.

While meeting the media on Saturday in Beijing, the second day of his trip to the capital, Tang said the Hong Kong police will strengthen actions against violence — such as the use of gasoline bombs, attacking passersby or arson. But police will be flexible in how they deal with peaceful protesters in the streets and other minor offense by young people.

He said many fake news reports and rumors appeared discrediting Hong Kong police and dragging down their popularity. Hong Kong police will engage in a self review to see how to improve transparency and remain professional.

"If someone wants to use the Commission of Inquiry as a tool to restrain the police's ability to investigate and enforce the law, it is unfair, and I don't agree with that," he said.

Tang was appointed police commissioner of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in November by the central government in accordance with the Basic Law. New police commissioners customarily visit central authorities after taking office.

Tang arrived in Beijing on Friday and visited such central authorities as the Ministry of Public Security, the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council.

Leading officials of these departments took a positive view of the efforts made by the Hong Kong police to curb crime and safeguard the rule of law in the past few months.

Guo Shengkun, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the committee's Commission for Political and Legal Affairs, said on Saturday that ending the violence and chaos and restoring order remains the most urgent task for Hong Kong at the moment, according to Xinhua.

"We'll unwaveringly support the Hong Kong police's strict law enforcement, and fully support the police's unremitting efforts to restore social order as soon as possible," he said while meeting with Tang.

Tang said he introduced the police force's new management team, reported on the recent developments and discussed the police cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong when meeting with senior officials of these central authorities.

On Saturday morning, he and his delegation watched the flag-raising ceremony in Tian'anmen Square.

Tang said that he was excited and felt the strength of the country, which has further strengthened the confidence and determination to ensure strict law enforcement in Hong Kong.