China says Hong Kong must protect mainland tourists after protests

Masked protesters from the Civic Passion group take part in an anti-China demonstration at the rural Yuen Long district in Hong Kong March 1, 2015. REUTERS/Bobby Yip

BEIJING (Reuters) - Hong Kong must protect the security and dignity of Chinese visitors, a Chinese official said on Wednesday, following incidents of mainlanders being harassed by Hong Kong activists upset by what they see as Chinese interference in the territory.

Beijing's ties with the largely self-ruled former colony have become increasingly fraught as the perception has grown in Hong Kong that China's ruling Communist Party is increasingly prepared to impose its will on the city.