Hong Kong faces worst crisis since handover: China official

Hong Kong

HONG KONG is facing its worst crisis since it returned from British to Chinese rule in 1997, the head of China's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs office said on Wednesday, as more anti-government protests rocked the Asian financial hub.

"Hong Kong's crisis . . . has continued for 60 days, and is getting worse and worse," Zhang Xiaoming, one of the most senior Chinese officials overseeing Hong Kong affairs, said during a meeting in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen.

"Violent activities are intensifying and the impact on society is spreading wider. It can be said that Hong Kong is now facing the most severe situation since its handover," he said.

Hong Kong has faced months of sometimes violent protests that began with opposition to a now-suspended extradition law, and which have evolved into a direct challenge to the government of embattled leade…