Its coverage of the protests and the publication of a harsh editorial in [one of] the official Communist Party newspaper Global Times may indicate it is prepared to take a tougher line against the demonstrators.

The violence has embarrassed some Westerners who have long shown partiality to Hong Kong demonstrators. But some others attributed the violence to a lack of response from the Hong Kong government to opposition demands. US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, despite widespread criticism of the violence, claimed that the Hong Kong protesters "have inspired the world" and their courage should not be ignored.

"These violent assailants in their arrogance pay no heed to Hong Kong's law, no doubt arousing the anger and sadness of all people of the city of Hong Kong," the editorial said.
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Protesters whacked away at thick glass windows until they shattered and then pried open steel security gates before they swarmed into the legislature and vandalized it. Many wore yellow and white helmets, face masks and the black T-shirts that have become their uniform.

Police initially retreated as the protesters entered, avoiding a confrontation and giving them the run of the building. The protesters later vacated it as riot police cleared surrounding streets with tear gas and then moved inside.
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The extradition proposal has heightened fears of eroding freedoms in Hong Kong, which Britain returned to China on July 1, 1997.

Lam disputed protesters' complaints that officials had not responded to them, saying the government explained that by suspending the bill with no timetable or plan to revisit it, the legislation would die at the end of the current legislative session in July 2020. For the other demands, she said releasing arrested protesters without an investigation would not uphold the rule of law.