Central government urges respect for HK head Leung

BEIJING, May 22 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese central government has called for respect for Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying after he was disgraced by radical lawmakers at Thursday morning's legislative session.

Hong Kong's chief executive and government officials must be respected when fulfilling their duties at the Legislative Council, and the working order of the council should be effectively maintained, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council said in a statement.

The office said that it opposes any behavior that abuses the rules of procedure, disrupt local government's lawful administration and damages the interests of the Hong Kong people.

Leung was "assaulted" by some radical lawmakers while answering questions at a Council meeting, with one throwing a bun at him. He was verbally abused and slogans calling for his resignation were chanted.

The meeting was suspended, then ended ahead of its scheduled time.