China's central government has dismissed Hong Kong pro-democracy
protesters as clowns and criminals while bemoaning growing violence surrounding the monthslong demonstrations.
"Hong Kong poses a serious problem for the Chinese government.
It can't allow the protesters to challenge its authority or deface symbols of its authority unpunished but it also does not want to attempt a military crackdown," said Steve Tsang, director of the
China Institute at London's School of Oriental and African Studies.