China appoints new Hong Kong police commissioner

China's government has appointed a new chief of Hong Kong police, who is known as a hardliner.

China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday that Chris Tang was appointed as Hong Kong's new police commissioner. Tang succeeds his retiring predecessor.

Beijing's decision was reportedly in line with a nomination made by Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam.

Chinese Communist Party-affiliated media said Tang is known for strict crackdowns on protesters during the pro-democracy Umbrella Movement in 2014.

The new police chief told a news conference on Tuesday that he will work to contain violence as soon as possible.

Tang said he is aware that some people are dissatisfied with the police's handling of the protests, but that others agree with it.

He turned down citizens' request to set up an independent panel to inquire into the police's handling of protesters, saying an existing organization is investigating matters.