The central government firmly supports Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam in leading the HKSAR government's administration under the rule of law, said Yang Guang, a spokesman for the the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council.

He made the remarks on Monday during a news conference about the central government's view of the recent illegal protests in Hong Kong. The recent illegal protests have had a severe impact on rule of law, social order, economy and global image of HK, he said.

The central government also supports the Hong Kong police in strict law enforcement, and the HKSAR government agencies and judiciary body in meting out punishment to violent criminals according to law, he said.

'One country, two systems' works for HK, central govt says

The principle of "one country, two systems" is the best institutional arrangement for maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability in the the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said Yang Guang.

The central government will continue to implement the "one country, two systems" principle the way it always has, he said.