HONG KONG - The Hong Kong government will leave no stone unturned in cracking down on homegrown terrorism following a brutal knife attack on a police officer in Causeway Bay on Thursday, Chief Secretary for Administration John Lee Ka-chiu warned on Saturday.

READ MORE:HK knife attack spurs calls for vigilance

The warning came after a 50-year-old man stabbed an on-duty policeman in front of Sogo Department Store on Thursday evening before lunging the knife at himself. He was pronounced dead after being admitted to hospital.

There have been more than 20 criminal cases since the 2019 street violence, involving the use of explosives and firearms, similar to other terrorist acts seen overseas

The 28-year-old Police Tactical Unit officer, whose lung was pierced in the attack, was listed in a stable condition on Saturday following surgery a day ago.

Lee said preliminary investigations showed it was a “lone wolf” terrorist attack. Police will step up intelligence collection to prevent similar incidents in future. 

Lee said he had, in fact, warned of the emergence of homegrown terrorist acts on several occasions since the city’s social unrest 2019.   

Although peace and order have been restored following the implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong last year, separatists and troublemakers are still active and haven’t given up, he said.

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There have been more than 20 criminal cases since the 2019 street violence, involving the use of explosives and firearms, similar to other terrorist acts seen overseas.

Lee said these cases have shown that anyone who has been radicalized may appear to be normal, but could pull off a “lone wolf” attack any time.

Local terrorist acts usually stem from purported incitement of hatred and division, as well as romanticizing and glorifying violence, he said.

Lee also condemned the posting of online messages that praised the attacker, who had tried to kill the police officer before committing suicide, saying such behavior threatens Hong Kong’s peace and order, as well as the lives of residents.

He said the police are capable of handling and dealing with such attacks as they had foiled many attempts in the past. 

However, Hong Kong remains safe although members of the public should stay alert against terrorism, and should report to the police immediately any information they may have.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung also condemned acts that beautify violence.

Referring to the online messages praising the attacker, he warned that advocating violence on the internet is also an offense.

The Security Bureau, the police force and other law enforcement units will severely crack down on those who glorify terrorism and encourage people to commit violent acts in the community, Tang said.