Spokespersons for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Yang Guang (C) and Xu Luying (R) attend a press conference in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2019. TO GO WITH "Spokesperson condemns criminality by small number of rioters in Hong Kong" (Xinhua/Pan Xu)

Behaviors of a small number of rioters in Hong Kong constitute violent crimes in any country and region under any legal system, making them thugs in every sense of the word, said a State Council Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office spokesperson Tuesday.

Calling the Hong Kong situation "still grim and complex," Yang Guang told a press conference that the small number of radical rioters have doubled down on their violent activities and committed outrageous crimes in the frenzy of insane rampage in some places from time to time.

The acts of a small number of rioters have gone far beyond the category of normal demonstrations, the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, he expressed hope that people can distinguish the peaceful rally from violent crimes and activities challenging "one country, two systems."

Peaceful rallies stand in diametrical opposition to those crimes that unscrupulously challenge "one country, two systems," attack the central government complex based in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, desecrate national flag and emblem, violently attack police officers and innocent citizens, severely damage public and private properties and endanger public safety, the spokesperson said.

"Crimes should be cracked down on with no wiggle room," Yang said. "In the face of crimes, law enforcement is justice, and safeguarding law is righteousness," he added.