A rioter throws a gasoline bomb at police in Wan Chai. (Photo: China Daily)

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government on Friday announced the introduction of anti-mask law, in a bid to end the incessant violence and vandalism that has gripped the city for nearly four months.

The new anti-mask law bans protesters from wearing masks to conceal their identities.

The legislation, introduced by invoking the Emergency Regulations Ordinance, will take effect by midnight of Friday. The announcement came after a special meeting of the city's leader's top advisers, the Executive Council, held on Friday on the legislation.

The much-anticipated legislation has been proposed by many sectors of the community earlier after the city was battered by black-clad masked mobs since early June.

On Thursday, a cross-sector group established by civic leaders called for anti-mask legislation in Hong Kong. The call came two days after escalating violence plunged many parts of the city into chaos on Tuesday — National Day.

Similar laws have also been introduced in many foreign countries and regions, including Canada, France, Sweden, Russia, Germany and many states of the United States.