The nation's top authority in charge of Hong Kong affairs on Friday threw its weight behind the Hong Kong government's decision to ban people from wearing masks during protests and assemblies in a bid to quell the escalating violence.

At a press conference in Beijing, Yang Guang, a spokesman for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, said the move is necessary and will help effectively stem violence and restore order in Hong Kong.

The move was also supported by the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR. In a statement on Friday, a speaker for the office expressed firm support of the SAR government in deterring violence by local legislation.