China backs bolder action to counter roots of Hong Kong unrest - official

Pro-Beijing lawmaker Junius Ho argues with a pro-democracy lawmaker before demonstration of a water cannon equipped vehicle at the compound of the Police Tactical Unit in Hong Kong, China August 12, 2019. REUTERS/Thomas Peter/Files

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Beijing supports bolder action to tackle the roots of unrest that has rocked Hong Kong for months, a senior Chinese official said on Wednesday, just hours after a knife-wielding man attacked a pro-Beijing lawmaker in the Chinese-ruled city.

Han Zheng, a vice premier, said at a meeting with Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam in Beijing the anti-government protests were damaging the "one country, two systems" formula under which the former British colony has been governed since its handover to China in 1997.