Society

Radical protests intensify conflicts: official

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-04-12 14:28

HONG KONG -- Radical protests only arouse and intensify conflicts in society rather than resolving differences, Hong Kong's Chief Secretary Henry Tang said Tuesday to criticize the radical approach protesters took last Sunday at an open event.

Speaking to the media before Tuesday's Executive Council meeting, Tang said any behavior outside of a peaceful protest is unacceptable for society, adding personal freedom must be based on respect for others.

He said the government does not condone physical assault nor using excuses to rationalize actions that destroy order in society. A radical approach can only arouse and intensify conflicts, not resolve differences.

Tang added that government not only listens to different opinions in the community, but also respects and ensures people's rights to express their opinions freely and peacefully.