HONG KONG, Sept 13 — Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing said today he deeply regrets that recent comments he made regarding protests in the financial hub were misrepresented and reiterated that any actions that violate the rule of law cannot be tolerated.

Li’s statement came after China’s Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission published an article on social media accusing the tycoon of "harbouring criminality” after he called on the authorities to offer young people an olive branch amid anti-government protests that have roiled the city.

In his first speech mentioning the unrest, Li urged political leaders to offer young people an olive branch, calling them "masters of our future”, according to an online video of remarks to a small crowd during a monastery visit on Sunday. — Reuters