#China - Hong Kong radicals should not use teenagers as political pawns

On Aug. 31, the Hong Kong police arrested a 13-year-old protester carrying two gasoline bombs and a lighter in an attempt to set a subway station on fire. A few days earlier, the police also apprehended a 12-year-old boy holding an iron bar during the Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing march.

It worries the public that teenagers have been involved in illegal demonstrations and have served as pioneers of violence.

The demonstrations in Hong Kong have developed into extreme violence.

In recent weeks, the protesters shut down Hong Kong International Airport and attacked the police, undermining the social order, and seriously challenging the rule of law. They employed sharpened iron rods, gasoline bombs and metal barricades, continually upgrading their weapons and threatening lives and property in Hong Kong.

Teenagers may think it's "cool" to get out on the street and demonstrate. However, the law has some tolerance for juveniles, which has caused them to challenge the bottom line repeatedly.

Teenagers are not mature enough to tell right from wrong. Provoked by radicals and the media, they are more likely to conduct violent and illegal activities.

By resorting to violence, the radicals have made it clear that they are no longer protesting against the extradition bill. Instead, they willingly served as the minions of the internal and external ill-disposed forces, trying to destabilize Hong Kong, disable the local government, and undermine the "one country, two systems" model.

For their own interests, the radical protesters, as well as the behind-the-scenes black hand, have used teenagers as political pawns to cause chaos in Hong Kong.

To stop violence, end chaos and restore order are aspirations widely acknowledged by Hong Kong society.

Representatives from all walks of life in Hong Kong have voiced condemnation of the violent activities and support for the Hong Kong police by issuing statements, advertising and making speeches.

The HKFEW Wong Cho Bau Secondary School kicked off the new semester on Sept. 1 by holding a flag-raising ceremony and playing the national anthem to deepen the students' sense of patriotism.

Those who genuinely care about Hong Kong should resolutely safeguard "one country, two systems" and resolve to stop violence and chaos that undermine Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.

Young people need to learn to express their opinions peacefully and rationally instead of being incited to violence and leaving permanent stains on their lives.