This archive report was first published on 6 May 2020.
On May 6, 2020, China issued a stern warning to Hong Kong protesters, stating that it would not tolerate them 'stirring up trouble' in the semi-autonomous territory.
AFP
Months of pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong last year were sparked by opposition to a bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China.
However, the protests have since grown to include demands for democracy and full accountability for police brutality.
Despite mass arrests and a ban on large gatherings due to the coronavirus outbreak, small demonstrations have been held in recent weeks as contagion fears ease.
On Friday, Hong Kong police used pepper spray to disperse protesters after a largely peaceful public holiday.
China's top body overseeing Hong Kong stated that the black violent forces had slowed down during the Hong Kong epidemic but were now stirring up trouble again.
The State Council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office added that protesters wanted to 'drag Hong Kong off a cliff'.
These comments came after Hong Kong's economy posted its worst-ever quarterly decline of 8.9 percent, pushing the territory deeper into recession.
