The new head of China's liaison office in Hong Kong, the most senior mainland official based in the territory, said on Monday China was the strongest backer of the Asian financial hub, which he hoped would return to "the right path".

The liaison office, which reports to China's State Councilor cabinet, is a platform for Beijing to project its influence in the city and has faced criticism for misjudging the situation in the Chinese-controlled city, which has faced more than six months of pro-democracy protests.

In his first comments to the media since Saturday's announcement by China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security that he had replaced Wang Zhimin, 65-year-old Luo Huining said he was "not unfamiliar with the city".

"Hong Kong compatriots have made important contributions to the reform and opening up and modernisation of our country. The motherland will always be Hong Kong’s strongest backer," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-luo-huining-replaced-wang-zhimin-as-hong-kongs-top-envoy-272120">Luo</a> told reporters.

"In the past half a year, the Hong Kong situation has been worrying. Everyone eagerly hopes Hong Kong can return to the right path."

In November, Reuters reported exclusively that Beijing was considering potential replacements for Wang, in a sign of dissatisfaction with the liaison office's handling of the crisis in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-university-protest-fizzling-out-as-over-1000-arrested-by-authorities-263246">Hong Kong</a>.

Until November, Luo was the top official of China's ruling <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-says-us-must-confront-chinas-communist-party-259032">Communist Party</a> in the northern province of Shanxi, where he had been tasked with cleaning up a graft-ridden, coal-rich region where corruption was once likened to cancer.

Before moving to Shanxi, Luo had been the top party official in the western province of Qinghai.

Protests in Hong Kong escalated in June over a now-withdrawn extradition bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent for trial to the mainland, where justice is controlled by the Communist Party.

They have since evolved into a broad pro-democracy movement, with anger growing over a perception that Beijing is meddling too much into Hong Kong, which was promised a high degree of autonomy upon returning from British to Chinese rule in 1997.

China denies meddling and blames the West for fomenting unrest.

Luo said the "one country, two systems" type of governance that guarantees Hong Kong freedoms not available on the mainland was the city's greatest advantage and that the basic law, the city's mini-constitution, will be "fully implemented."

The new head of China's liaison office in Hong Kong, the most senior mainland official based in the territory, said on Monday China was the strongest backer of the Asian financial hub, which he hoped would return to "the right path".

The new head of China's liaison office in Hong Kong, the most senior mainland official based in the territory, said on Monday China was the strongest backer of the Asian financial hub, which he hoped would return to "the right path". The liaison office, which reports to China's State Councilor cabinet, is a platform for Beijing to project its influence in the city and has faced criticism for misjudging the situation in the Chinese-controlled city, which has faced more than six months of pro-democracy protests. In his first comments to the media since Saturday's announcement by China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security that he had replaced Wang Zhimin, 65-year-old Luo Huining said he was "not unfamiliar with the city". "Hong Kong compatriots have made important contributions to the reform and opening up and modernisation of our country. The motherland will always be Hong Kong’s strongest backer," Luo told reporters. "In the past half a year, the Hong Kong situation has been worrying. Everyone eagerly hopes Hong Kong can return to the right path." In November, Reuters reported exclusively that Beijing was considering potential replacements for Wang, in a sign of dissatisfaction with the liaison office's handling of the crisis in Hong Kong. Until November, Luo was the top official of China's ruling Communist Party in the northern province of Shanxi, where he had been tasked with cleaning up a graft-ridden, coal-rich region where corruption was once likened to cancer. Before moving to Shanxi, Luo had been the top party official in the western province of Qinghai. Protests in Hong Kong escalated in June over a now-withdrawn extradition bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent for trial to the mainland, where justice is controlled by the Communist Party. They have since evolved into a broad pro-democracy movement, with anger growing over a perception that Beijing is meddling too much into Hong Kong, which was promised a high degree of autonomy upon returning from British to Chinese rule in 1997. China denies meddling and blames the West for fomenting unrest. Luo said the "one country, two systems" type of governance that guarantees Hong Kong freedoms not available on the mainland was the city's greatest advantage and that the basic law, the city's mini-constitution, will be "fully implemented."

Hope Hong Kong can return to right path, says new chief of China's liaison office

Hong&nbsp;Kong's chief secretary, Matthew Cheung, said on Tuesday he was disappointed with recent protest&nbsp;violence&nbsp;after a period of relative calm, as the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/hong-kong-falls-into-first-recession-in-10-years-as-protests-trade-war-weigh-259138">Asian financial hub</a> geared up for&nbsp;more&nbsp;anti-government&nbsp;demonstrations in the coming days.

Cheung, speaking at a weekly press briefing, was referring to a protest on Sunday when police fired tear gas in late-night street clashes the first time tear gas had been used in nearly two weeks.

"The work of&nbsp;stopping the&nbsp;violence&nbsp;has not yet been completed, we need to keep working on it. At the same time, we need to put effort into resolving deep-rooted&nbsp;problems," Cheung said.

His comments came after the city's leader, Chief Executive Carrie Lam, met Chinese President<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/chinas-failed-quest-for-soft-power-268344"> Xi Jinping</a> on Monday.

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Xi offered Lam his support and praised her courage in governing the city during the "most difficult times" of often violent anti-government&nbsp;protests.

Lam, who is due back in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;on Tuesday, also met Premier <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-premier-says-hong-kong-not-yet-out-of-protest-dilemma-268458">Li Keqiang</a> during her regular duty visit to Beijing.

"Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;right now has not stepped out of its dilemma," Li said, according to remarks broadcast by Cable TV, as he urged Lam's administration to end the&nbsp;violence.

"The government&nbsp;should make continuous efforts to bring the&nbsp;violence&nbsp;and chaos to an end in accordance with the law and restore order".

He also urged the&nbsp;government&nbsp;to address "deep-rooted issues in the economic and social development of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong" to ensure stability and prosperity in the region.

The financial hub has been embroiled in&nbsp;more&nbsp;than six months of anti-government&nbsp;protests which show no sign of abating.

Protests are scheduled across the city on Tuesday as well as through the rest of the week and into<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/migrants-gather-at-us-mexico-border-for-christmas-party-268529"> Christmas</a>.

Protesters are angry about what they see as an encroachment by China on wide-ranging autonomy&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;was guaranteed under a "one country, two systems" framework which governs the former British colony and the neighbouring casino hub of Macau.

China has rejected the complaints and blamed other countries, including the United States, for inciting the protests.

Xi is due to begin a three-day visit to Macau on Wednesday and security has been tightened. There have been no protests in the former Portuguese colony.

While the number of protests and the&nbsp;violence&nbsp;has eased in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;in recent weeks, the pro-democracy movement retains broad public backing, with families and older people coming out to recent demonstrations.

They are calling on the&nbsp;government&nbsp;to listen to their demands which include an independent investigation into police behaviour and the implementation of full universal suffrage.

The trigger for the protests was a proposed extradition law, that would have allowed&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;citizens to be prosecuted in mainland courts. The bill, which the city later dropped, raised concern about what many&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;people see as the undermining by Beijing of their freedoms.

The recent arrest by mainland security officials of a&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;resident at a checkpoint on a newly-opened bridge linking&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wall-street-slips-as-us-law-on-hong-kong-brings-back-trade-fears-265311">Macau</a> and the mainland city of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/timeline-chinas-military-drones-make-it-a-mobile-warfare-specialist-260842">Zhuhai </a>has stirred new concerns.

The media reported the 53-year-old suspect was detained on Friday while travelling to Macau on a bus.

Cheung, asked about the arrest, said the matter was beyond the city's control and related to security matters on the mainland.

"It's perfectly justified for them to exercise jurisdiction within their own territory, it's entirely legal and justified," he said.

Mainland police said the person detained was part of a mobile phone smuggling syndicate.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;residents have been on heightened alert to citizens disappearing over the border into mainland China since five city booksellers went missing in 2015. All later appeared in detention in China, with some showing up in video footage making what appeared to be forced confessions.

A former British consulate employee in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;said in November that Chinese secret police beat him in an attempt to force him to give information about activists leading pro-democracy protests.

Hong Kong's chief secretary, Matthew Cheung, said on Tuesday he was disappointed with recent protest violence after a period of relative calm, as the Asian financial hub geared up for more anti-government demonstrations in the coming days.

Hong Kong's chief secretary, Matthew Cheung, said on Tuesday he was disappointed with recent protest violence after a period of relative calm, as the Asian financial hub geared up for more anti-government demonstrations in the coming days. Cheung, speaking at a weekly press briefing, was referring to a protest on Sunday when police fired tear gas in late-night street clashes the first time tear gas had been used in nearly two weeks. "The work of stopping the violence has not yet been completed, we need to keep working on it. At the same time, we need to put effort into resolving deep-rooted problems," Cheung said. His comments came after the city's leader, Chief Executive Carrie Lam, met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday. Xi offered Lam his support and praised her courage in governing the city during the "most difficult times" of often violent anti-government protests. Lam, who is due back in Hong Kong on Tuesday, also met Premier Li Keqiang during her regular duty visit to Beijing. "Hong Kong right now has not stepped out of its dilemma," Li said, according to remarks broadcast by Cable TV, as he urged Lam's administration to end the violence. "The government should make continuous efforts to bring the violence and chaos to an end in accordance with the law and restore order". He also urged the government to address "deep-rooted issues in the economic and social development of Hong Kong" to ensure stability and prosperity in the region. The financial hub has been embroiled in more than six months of anti-government protests which show no sign of abating. Protests are scheduled across the city on Tuesday as well as through the rest of the week and into Christmas. Protesters are angry about what they see as an encroachment by China on wide-ranging autonomy Hong Kong was guaranteed under a "one country, two systems" framework which governs the former British colony and the neighbouring casino hub of Macau. China has rejected the complaints and blamed other countries, including the United States, for inciting the protests. Xi is due to begin a three-day visit to Macau on Wednesday and security has been tightened. There have been no protests in the former Portuguese colony. While the number of protests and the violence has eased in Hong Kong in recent weeks, the pro-democracy movement retains broad public backing, with families and older people coming out to recent demonstrations. They are calling on the government to listen to their demands which include an independent investigation into police behaviour and the implementation of full universal suffrage. The trigger for the protests was a proposed extradition law, that would have allowed Hong Kong citizens to be prosecuted in mainland courts. The bill, which the city later dropped, raised concern about what many Hong Kong people see as the undermining by Beijing of their freedoms. The recent arrest by mainland security officials of a Hong Kong resident at a checkpoint on a newly-opened bridge linking Hong Kong with Macau and the mainland city of Zhuhai has stirred new concerns. The media reported the 53-year-old suspect was detained on Friday while travelling to Macau on a bus. Cheung, asked about the arrest, said the matter was beyond the city's control and related to security matters on the mainland. "It's perfectly justified for them to exercise jurisdiction within their own territory, it's entirely legal and justified," he said. Mainland police said the person detained was part of a mobile phone smuggling syndicate. Hong Kong residents have been on heightened alert to citizens disappearing over the border into mainland China since five city booksellers went missing in 2015. All later appeared in detention in China, with some showing up in video footage making what appeared to be forced confessions. A former British consulate employee in Hong Kong said in November that Chinese secret police beat him in an attempt to force him to give information about activists leading pro-democracy protests.

Hong Kong needs to do more to stop violence, resolve problems: Government

Chinese Premier <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-launches-new-crackdown-on-chemical-safety-261981">Li Keqiang</a> met with Hong Kong leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-chief-executive-carrie-lam-heads-for-beijing-as-pressure-mounts-at-home-268246">Carrie Lam</a> in Beijing on Monday, saying the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-cabinet-reshuffle-not-an-immediate-task-carrie-lam-267429">Asian financial hub</a> was not yet out of the "dilemma" facing the city's economy after months of sometimes violent protests.

Li met with Lam during a regular duty visit where she is also due to hold a potentially pivotal meeting with President<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-tightens-the-screws-after-leaks-on-state-sponsored-atrocities-in-xinjiang-268348"> Xi Jinping</a>.

The meetings come after Hong Kong police fired tear gas in late-night street clashes with anti-government protesters on Sunday as the former British colony's worst political crisis in decades drags on into a seventh month.

"The SAR (special administrative region) government must continue its efforts, end violence and stop the chaos in accordance with the law and restore order," Li said in his meeting with Lam, the opening remarks of which were broadcast by Cable TV.

Lam's visit comes amid speculation in local media that talks with Xi could yield fresh directives on the city's political crisis, including a possible cabinet reshuffle.

The two had previously met in Shanghai in early November when Xi expressed "high trust" in Lam despite the turmoil.

Lam, however, appeared to play down the prospects of a cabinet reshuffle before she left, saying the first task was to curb violence and restore order while seeking to engage in more dialogue with the public.

Late on Sunday, groups of masked youths angered by what they see as Chinese meddling in freedoms promised to Hong Kong when the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997 blocked roads around Mong Kok district, prompting police to fire multiple rounds of tear gas and baton charge crowds.

It was the first time in nearly two weeks that tear gas had been deployed by police.

Fires were lit and traffic lights smashed, while one student reporter for Baptist University was hit in the face by a police projectile and had to be hospitalised, local television footage showed.

Small bands of protesters marched through several malls, blocking entrances, smashing glass, and chanting slogans including "fight for freedom".

Despite the protesters' demands and anti-China rhetoric, China maintains it is committed to the "one country, two systems" formula granting Hong Kong a large degree of autonomy and freedoms denied other cities in the mainland.

The city, home to around 7 million people, entered its first recession in a decade in the third quarter with tourism and retail particularly affected by the sometimes violent protests.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/flights-cancelled-in-hong-kong-airport-as-protests-escalate-242407">Hong Kong International Airport</a> reported its biggest fall in passenger numbers in more than a decade in November, official data released on Sunday showed.

Lam's administration has pledged HK$25 billion ($3.2 billion) in stimulus but analysts say it is unlikely to have a major impact as long as the unrest continues.

Some 7,000 licensed retail establishments out of 64,000 say they will be forced to close down in the next six months, the Hong Kong Retail Management Association said earlier this month.

While the number of protests has lessened in recent weeks from demonstrations nearly every day, the movement still enjoys broad backing, with families with children and retirees still coming out in support.

Protesters have called on the government to address their demands which include an independent inquiry into police behavior and the implementation of universal suffrage.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam in Beijing on Monday, saying the Asian financial hub was not yet out of the "dilemma" facing the city's economy after months of sometimes violent protests.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam in Beijing on Monday, saying the Asian financial hub was not yet out of the "dilemma" facing the city's economy after months of sometimes violent protests. Li met with Lam during a regular duty visit where she is also due to hold a potentially pivotal meeting with President Xi Jinping. The meetings come after Hong Kong police fired tear gas in late-night street clashes with anti-government protesters on Sunday as the former British colony's worst political crisis in decades drags on into a seventh month. "The SAR (special administrative region) government must continue its efforts, end violence and stop the chaos in accordance with the law and restore order," Li said in his meeting with Lam, the opening remarks of which were broadcast by Cable TV. Lam's visit comes amid speculation in local media that talks with Xi could yield fresh directives on the city's political crisis, including a possible cabinet reshuffle. The two had previously met in Shanghai in early November when Xi expressed "high trust" in Lam despite the turmoil. Lam, however, appeared to play down the prospects of a cabinet reshuffle before she left, saying the first task was to curb violence and restore order while seeking to engage in more dialogue with the public. Late on Sunday, groups of masked youths angered by what they see as Chinese meddling in freedoms promised to Hong Kong when the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997 blocked roads around Mong Kok district, prompting police to fire multiple rounds of tear gas and baton charge crowds. It was the first time in nearly two weeks that tear gas had been deployed by police. Fires were lit and traffic lights smashed, while one student reporter for Baptist University was hit in the face by a police projectile and had to be hospitalised, local television footage showed. Small bands of protesters marched through several malls, blocking entrances, smashing glass, and chanting slogans including "fight for freedom". Despite the protesters' demands and anti-China rhetoric, China maintains it is committed to the "one country, two systems" formula granting Hong Kong a large degree of autonomy and freedoms denied other cities in the mainland. The city, home to around 7 million people, entered its first recession in a decade in the third quarter with tourism and retail particularly affected by the sometimes violent protests. Hong Kong International Airport reported its biggest fall in passenger numbers in more than a decade in November, official data released on Sunday showed. Lam's administration has pledged HK$25 billion ($3.2 billion) in stimulus but analysts say it is unlikely to have a major impact as long as the unrest continues. Some 7,000 licensed retail establishments out of 64,000 say they will be forced to close down in the next six months, the Hong Kong Retail Management Association said earlier this month. While the number of protests has lessened in recent weeks from demonstrations nearly every day, the movement still enjoys broad backing, with families with children and retirees still coming out in support. Protesters have called on the government to address their demands which include an independent inquiry into police behavior and the implementation of universal suffrage.

Chinese premier says Hong Kong not yet out of protest 'dilemma'

Alibaba Group Chairman Daniel Zhang said Hong Kong's "future is bright" as the e-commerce giant kicked off the retail campaign for its secondary listing in the city gripped by increasingly violent protests and recession.

In a first for the Asian financial hub, Alibaba said the listing would be fully automated and paperless to reflect its environmental standards, confirming an earlier Reuters story.

Investment bankers familiar with the listing, however, said the move avoided a potential publicity nightmare of investors queuing at banks to place stock orders while protests raged around them.

Four thousand people have been arrested in Hong Kong since June and the territory’s economy has sunk into recession for the first time in a decade as the anti-government demonstrations disrupt&nbsp;business&nbsp;and deter tourists.

Zhang made no mention of the unrest in the chairman’s letter included in the company's supplementary prospectus.

"Over the last few years, there have been many encouraging reforms in Hong Kong’s capital market. During this time of ongoing change, we continue to believe that the future of Hong Kong remains bright," he wrote.

Hangzhou-based Alibaba is hoping to raise up to $13.4 billion in its Hong Kong listing and the shares are due to start trading on November 26. The retail price of the shares will be capped at HK$188 each.

The share sale is set to be Hong Kong's largest in more than nine years and comes as Beijing seeks support from the semi-autonomous territory's tycoons and entrepreneurs to maintain a sense of&nbsp;business-as-usual in the face of more than five months of unrest.

Alibaba had originally considered a Hong Kong IPO in 2013 but ultimately chose New York after failing to gain approval from Hong Kong regulators for its unusual governance structure.

The institutional price will be finalised on November 20 following a bookbuild which is underway for global investors.

In the retail component 12.5 million shares will be offered, which is 2.5 per cent of&nbsp;the total deal, however, that could be increased to up to 50 million, or 10 per cent of the total transaction.

Alibaba also has the option to exercise a so-called over-allotment option to add an extra 75 million shares to the deal.

Alibaba Group Chairman Daniel Zhang said Hong Kong's "future is bright" as the e-commerce giant kicked off the retail campaign for its secondary listing in the city gripped by increasingly violent protests and recession.

Alibaba Group Chairman Daniel Zhang said Hong Kong's "future is bright" as the e-commerce giant kicked off the retail campaign for its secondary listing in the city gripped by increasingly violent protests and recession. In a first for the Asian financial hub, Alibaba said the listing would be fully automated and paperless to reflect its environmental standards, confirming an earlier Reuters story. Investment bankers familiar with the listing, however, said the move avoided a potential publicity nightmare of investors queuing at banks to place stock orders while protests raged around them. Four thousand people have been arrested in Hong Kong since June and the territory’s economy has sunk into recession for the first time in a decade as the anti-government demonstrations disrupt business and deter tourists. Zhang made no mention of the unrest in the chairman’s letter included in the company's supplementary prospectus. "Over the last few years, there have been many encouraging reforms in Hong Kong’s capital market. During this time of ongoing change, we continue to believe that the future of Hong Kong remains bright," he wrote. Hangzhou-based Alibaba is hoping to raise up to $13.4 billion in its Hong Kong listing and the shares are due to start trading on November 26. The retail price of the shares will be capped at HK$188 each. The share sale is set to be Hong Kong's largest in more than nine years and comes as Beijing seeks support from the semi-autonomous territory's tycoons and entrepreneurs to maintain a sense of business-as-usual in the face of more than five months of unrest. Alibaba had originally considered a Hong Kong IPO in 2013 but ultimately chose New York after failing to gain approval from Hong Kong regulators for its unusual governance structure. The institutional price will be finalised on November 20 following a bookbuild which is underway for global investors. In the retail component 12.5 million shares will be offered, which is 2.5 per cent of the total deal, however, that could be increased to up to 50 million, or 10 per cent of the total transaction. Alibaba also has the option to exercise a so-called over-allotment option to add an extra 75 million shares to the deal.

Hong Kong's future is bright: Alibaba chairman

Hong Kong braced for a major anti-government rally planned for Sunday after an unusually calm Saturday night in what has been a summer of violent protests in the Asian financial hub. Watch this video to know more.

Another protest week begin, Hong Kong braces for mass anti-government rally

The PLA has remained in barracks since protests started in April, leaving Hong Kong's police force to deal with the massive and often violent protests in the Asian financial hub.

China's Hong Kong PLA garrison releases video with scenes of 'anti-riot' operations