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Thousands protest in Hong Kong over China security law proposal
HONG KONG, May 24, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Police fired tear gas and water
cannon at thousands of Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters who gathered
Sunday against a controversial security law proposed by China, in the
most intense clashes for months.
As the demonstrators and police were facing off in the
semi-autonomous financial hub, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi
insisted in Beijing that the proposed law must be imposed “without the
slightest delay”.
The planned legislation — expected to ban treason, subversion and
sedition — comes after Hong Kong was shaken last year by months of
massive, often-violent protests, and repeated warnings from Beijing
that it would not tolerate dissent.
With campaigners warning the proposal could spell the end of the
city’s treasured freedoms, thousands gathered and chanted slogans in
the busy Causeway Bay and Wan Chai districts, while some masked
protesters set up makeshift barricades to stop police vehicles.
“People may be criminalised only for words they say or publish
opposing the government,” 25-year-old protester Vincent told AFP.
“I think Hong Kongers are very frustrated because we didn’t expect
this to come so fast and so rough. But… we won’t be as naive as to
believe that Beijing will simply sit back and do nothing. Things will
only get worse here.”
Riot police were deployed after protesters ignored earlier warnings
from authorities against unauthorised assembly and violated the city’s
current coronavirus-linked law banning public gatherings of more than
eight people.
As the number of protesters swelled, police fired tear gas and
pepper spray to try and disperse the crowd, and later deployed water
cannon and armoured vehicles against pockets of protesters.
At least 120 people were arrested, police said, as attempts to
clear the roads in the area continued into the evening.
The scenes on Sunday were the most intense in months.
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The Hong Kong pro-democracy movement had fizzled at the beginning of
2020 as arrests mounted and, later, large gatherings were banned to
stop the coronavirus.
More than 8,300 people have been arrested since the protests
erupted last year. Around 200 were detained during small rallies at
malls on Mother’s Day earlier this month.
Hong Kong residents enjoy rights — including freedom of speech —
unseen on the Chinese mainland, as well as its own legal system and
trade status.
Fears had been growing for years that Beijing was chipping away at
those freedoms and tightening its control on the city, and campaigners
have described the new proposal as the most brazen move yet.
– ‘I’m very scared’ –
Of particular concern is a provision allowing Chinese security
agents to operate in Hong Kong, and that they could launch a crackdown
against those dissenting the mainland’s communist rulers.
“I’m very scared, but I still have to come out,” said protester
Christy Chan, 23.
“Aside from being peaceful, rational and non-violent, I don’t see
many ways to send out our messages.”
Despite the alarm in Hong Kong and in some Western capitals,
Chinese and city officials have insisted the proposed law is needed to
prevent unrest and protect national security.
A top pro-Beijing official claimed Saturday that mainland Chinese
law enforcement would not operate in the city without “approval” from
local authorities.
But there is deep mistrust of China’s opaque legal system in Hong
Kong and of how Beijing might use the proposed regulations in the
city.
The massive protests last year were sparked by a now-scrapped bill
that would have allowed extraditions to the mainland, and there are
fears the new motion would be even more wide-ranging.
China’s legislature is expected to rubber-stamp the draft
resolution on Thursday, before the details are fleshed out at another
meeting at a later date.
Officials have said the law would then be implemented locally.
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