300 Hong Kong Citizens Arrested by Police During Protest Against National Security Law

On the 27th, Hong Kong police detained a large number of protesters in the Causeway Bay district who were demonstrating against the enactment of the National Security Law, while searching their bags and inspecting their smartphones. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Muje] It is reported that 300 Hong Kong citizens were arrested by the police during protests opposing the enactment of Hong Kong's "National Anthem Law."

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) and dpa news on the 27th, as the Hong Kong legislature, the Legislative Council, reviewed the National Anthem Law bill that punishes acts of disrespect toward the Chinese national anthem (March of the Volunteers), protests broke out in various locations.

The bill prohibits the use of the Chinese national anthem at funerals, as background music in public places, in commercial advertisements, and forbids altering the lyrics for satire or mockery.

As the Chinese government is pushing the "Hong Kong National Security Law" (Hong Kong Security Law), the review of the National Anthem Law has been interpreted as intensifying dissatisfaction among Hong Kong citizens.

Protesters gathered at shopping centers and streets in Causeway Bay, shouting slogans such as "Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Times." The police reportedly deployed about 3,000 officers to respond to the gatherings. The police also fired pepper spray to disperse the protesters.

According to SCMP, the police arrested about 180 people in Causeway Bay and Central areas, and approximately 50 and 60 people in Admiralty and Mong Kok respectively, totaling around 300 arrests.

Analysts suggest that China's push for the National Anthem Law following the Hong Kong Security Law aims to eradicate the roots of anti-China protests similar to last year's opposition to the "Fugitive Offenders Ordinance" (Extradition Bill).