In response to the procession today (July 1), a government spokesman noted that the procession was conducted in a peaceful and rational manner. The Government always respects the public's freedoms and rights of assembly, procession and expression. It also understands that people have different views on Government policies. As a free and pluralistic society, Hong Kong embodies rationalism, inclusiveness, harmony and diversity. The people of Hong Kong are proud of such cores values.

     "The Government clearly understands that members of the public have concerns and doubts about the proposed amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance, and has put a stop to the legislative amendment exercise. The bill will lapse after the current term of the Legislative Council ends in July next year," the spokesman said.

     The spokesman reiterated that the Government had never taken a view on the nature of the confrontation on June 12. Irrespective of how an incident is defined by any person, it would not affect the Department of Justice (DoJ) in discharging its prosecutorial duties impartially.

     The spokesman said that according to the press statement released by the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) on June 27, the Chairman of the IPCC, Dr Anthony Francis Neoh, has "recommended to Members of the IPCC that the IPCC should proactively undertake a study of the recent Public Order Events in performance of its statutory functions. As internal consultations are still taking place and the website is being revamped to facilitate the proposed study, the IPCC aims to give a full account of what it proposes to do in the near future".

     Today, some protesters confronted Police from morning until night. They charged Police cordon lines and disrupted public order, causing serious impact on public safety. This evening, some radical protesters stormed the Legislative Council Complex with extreme violence. These protesters seriously jeopardised the safety of police officers and members of the public. Such violent acts are unacceptable to society. 

     The HKSAR Government strongly condemns such acts, and protesters should stop violent acts immediately.

     Owing to security consideration, the Tamar Central Government Offices (CGO) will be temporarily closed tomorrow (July 2).

     Staff working in the CGO should not go to the workplace and should work in accordance with the contingency plans of their respective bureaux or departments. All visits to the CGO will be postponed or cancelled.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The meetings of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Joint Subcommittee on Issues Relating to the Regulation of Devices and Development of the Beauty Industry and LegCo Panel on Environmental Affairs scheduled for tomorrow (July 2) at 2.30pm and 4.30pm respectively have been cancelled.

     The HKSAR Government strongly condemns and deeply regrets the extremely violent acts committed by some protesters who stormed the Legislative Council (LegCo) Complex this afternoon (July 1), using a roll cage trolley as a ram and iron poles to shatter glass doors of the LegCo.

     A Government spokesman said Hong Kong is a society that respects the rule of law, and has never tolerated violence. Protesters who resort to violence must stop their acts immediately. The Police will take appropriate enforcement action to protect public order and safety.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Secretariat has issued a Red alert today (July 1). When the Red alert is in force, all people should leave the LegCo Complex immediately.