China's government is confident Hong Kong authorities can handle demonstrations in line with the law, state media reported Sunday, as tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters took to the city's streets.
Paraphrasing a spokesperson with the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of China's State Council, the Xinhua news agency report also said Beijing "firmly opposes all illegal activities that could undermine rule of law and jeopardise 'social tranquility' and it offers its strong backing" to the Hong Kong government.