China says HK troublemakers colluding with foreign forces must face severe punishment

A panoramic view of the financial area in Hong Kong. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING, Aug 11, Xinhua -- The Chinese central government on Monday voiced firm support for the Hong Kong police's arrest of seven people, including Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, saying they must be severely punished according to the law for colluding with external forces to endanger national security.

Those disrupting the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and antagonizing China have long been acting as political agents of foreign and external forces, assisting them in interfering in Hong Kong affairs, and carrying out activities of secession, subversion, infiltration and sabotage against China, said a spokesperson for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council.