Mass Arrests for Hong Kong Security Law Violations... Chaos in Hong Kong with 370 Detained

- On the 23rd Anniversary of Hong Kong Sovereignty Handover, Police Arrest 370 Protest Participants
- 10 Charged with Violating Hong Kong National Security Law

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Sunmi Park] On the first day of the enforcement of the Hong Kong National Security Law and the 23rd anniversary of Hong Kong's sovereignty handover on the 1st, anti-Hong Kong National Security Law protests took place across Hong Kong late into the night, resulting in 370 arrests by the police.

On the 2nd, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that thousands of protesters held anti-government demonstrations across various parts of Hong Kong late into the previous night. Including 10 people arrested for violating the Hong Kong National Security Law, a total of 370 people were arrested by the police throughout the day. Seven Hong Kong police officers were reported injured during the protest suppression process.

Those arrested for violating the Hong Kong National Security Law were mainly individuals carrying Hong Kong independence flags or wielding offensive weapons and committing acts of violence against the police. The youngest person arrested was a 15-year-old girl who was waving a flag bearing a message of Hong Kong independence. A 23-year-old man riding a motorcycle with a "Liberate Hong Kong" flag was also arrested on charges of violating the Hong Kong National Security Law. Opposition lawmakers Raymond Chan and Tam Tak were also included in the list of detainees.

In the Wan Chai district, a motorcycle ridden by protesters collided with police officers, injuring three officers. Additionally, a police officer attempting to arrest a protest participant was injured in the arm by a stabbing weapon wielded by a protester.

The police urged the protesters to disperse at the rally site while holding purple flags warning that "displaying flags or shouting slogans with intentions of independence or subversion may constitute violations of the Hong Kong National Security Law." However, guerrilla-style protests continued. Slogans directly opposing the Hong Kong National Security Law, such as "Hong Kong independence, the only way out" and "One Hong Kong, one country," echoed throughout the city. Around 8 p.m., the police forcibly dispersed the protesters using water cannons, tear gas, and pepper spray.

The Hong Kong Bar Association issued a statement pointing out that the Hong Kong National Security Law contains many provisions that contradict the Hong Kong Basic Law. The statement claimed, "The Hong Kong National Security Law operates to destroy core elements of the 'one country, two systems' framework, including judicial independence."

On the 30th of last month, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China unanimously passed the Hong Kong National Security Law, which came into effect at 11 p.m. that night. The crimes punishable under the law are broadly categorized into four: ▲secession ▲subversion of state power ▲terrorist activities ▲collusion with foreign forces. In serious cases, the maximum penalty can be life imprisonment. The law allows for punishment not only of Hong Kong residents but also foreigners and foreign companies for illegal acts. Investigations into violations of the law are conducted by Hong Kong authorities, but the central government of China has overall jurisdiction and can intervene comprehensively.