Beijing has reiterated its support to Carrie Lam, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), from across the ocean. During an interview with BBC, Chinese Ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming said the central government fully supports the new regulation, especially after seeing the violent chaos that broke out across 14 districts on Friday night, hours after the introduction of the new bill.

"We respect Carrie Lam and her administration. We understand her decision and we show our support for her decision. We have full trust in her administration," Liu said. 

The remarks come just a day after the SAR government's decision to introduce a ban on the wearing of masks during public assemblies.

Lam has made it clear that the latest move aims to "create a deterrent effect against masked, violent protesters and rioters," and restore peace and social order in the city.

Months-long protests in Hong Kong have turned increasingly violent with rioters setting fires, destroying public property, vandalizing subway stations, hurling petrol bombs, and assaulting local residents and police officers. 

File photo: CGTN

In Yuen Long, a police officer sustained major burn injuries during a violent siege by a group of rioters. 

"The SAR government decided to introduce the ban because the situation has escalated to a dangerous level," Liu said while stressing that the situation is still under Lam's control. "If she lost control, how could she introduce this ban?"

Peaceful protesters should be differentiated from those who indulge in violent acts against innocent people, Liu noted.

"I believe the face mask ban (anti-mask law) will help to improve the situation and I hope the majority of Hong Kong residents will respond to the efforts made by the Special Administrative Region."

Liu also pointed out that "Beijing would step up" if the situation worsens.

"We certainly hope the situation will improve, but we have to prepare for the worst," he said, adding "If the situation becomes uncontrollable, we certainly would not sit on our hands and watch."