HKSAR govt urges underage persons to stay away from high-risk protests

HONG KONG -- A spokesman for China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Monday urged underage persons to stay away from high-risk protests and stop participating in any news reporting activities at scenes of protests.

During a protest in Tsim Sha Tsui on Sunday, a 12-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl told the police that they were volunteer reporters carrying out news reporting activities at the scene. In view of their safety, the police took them to a police station without arresting them. The police subsequently contacted their guardians to pick them up.

"It is extremely dangerous for underage persons to conduct news reporting activities at scenes of protests in the capacity of student journalists," said the spokesman.

"We are very worried that there are organizations arranging for young students to work as volunteer reporters. They totally disregard the young students' safety and are extremely irresponsible," the spokesman added.

The spokesman stressed that protests and acts of violence have taken place in various districts again recently, and young people may be easily incited to commit crimes, without knowing the serious consequences of breaking the law.

"We have the responsibility of reminding underage persons not to participate in any illegal act that may jeopardize their future. Society should stop this undesirable trend from spreading and spare no effort to curb violence," the spokesman said.