国内英语新闻:Residents of China's Hong Kong rally to appeal for peace, stability

HONG KONG, July 20 (Xinhua) -- More than 300,000 Hong Kong residents braved rains for rallies on Saturday afternoon to voice their strong opposition to violence and firm support for police.

They also called for maintaining rule of law and safeguarding peace and stability in Hong Kong.

Tamar Park on the Hong Kong Island was the main venue of the series of rallies held across Hong Kong.

The rally started around 5 p.m. local time. Waving the Chinese national flag and the flag of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the participants expressed hope that peace and stability will return to Hong Kong.

More than 10 flagged fishing vessels with banners written with "Safeguard Hong Kong" toured in the waters of Victoria Harbor to show their solidarity.

At the rally in Tamar Park, Chan Cho-kwong, the former chairman of the Junior Police Officers' Association of the Hong Kong Police Force, condemned the recent violence and called for supporting Hong Kong police and their families.

"Hong Kong has been suffering violence and division in recent days. As a citizen, we welcome different voices but oppose violence," said Ms Ying, aged 28, who attended the rally with her friends.

Cheng Chun-hei, a graduate of the University of Hong Kong, said young people and the society are faced with problems, but the problems can't be resolved via violence and illegal means.

Lo Chung-mau, a division chief from Queen Mary Hospital, said that a total of 192 doctors had signed a "No Harm, Protect Hong Kong" declaration, saying Hong Kong is now sick and injured.

Hong Kong people should calm down and protect Hong Kong, upholding the spirit of unity, hard-working and forward-looking, said Lo.

"We stand here to demonstrate peace and harmony, rather than violence. No matter what happens, we can work together to solve the problems," said Allan Zeman, chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Holdings ltd..

Representatives of five major Hong Kong business associations called for returning to a sound business environment at the rally.

At the end of the event, representatives from all circles of life in Hong Kong read out the "Safeguard Hong Kong" declaration and sang together with participants the chorus Below the Lion Rock, a famous song in Hong Kong representing the hard-working and forward-looking spirit of Hong Kong people.

"We want rule of law! We want peace! We want stability, we need to unite!"

According to the rally organizers, apart from Tamar Park, there were three sub-rally venues in Hong Kong.