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| Hong Kong protests: police use water cannon and arrest more than 180 on first day of controversial security law | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Police also use pepper spray as people take to the streets to protest new security law introduced by China | |
| Lily Kuo, the Guardian’s Beijing bureau chief, has analysed the most concerning parts of the new security law: | |
| You can read the full story here. | |
| Footage shows someone who appears to be a filmmaker fall to the ground as they are shot by a water cannon at a close distance. | |
| In Tin Hau, the window of a Starbucks, run by a franchise company seen as pro-China, has been smashed. | |
| Climate activist Greta Thunberg is the latest to express support for protesters | |
| Police confirm they are making more arrests, and issue another warning to protesters | |
| Canada has warned its citizens in Hong Kong that they faced a higher risk of arbitrary detention and extradition to mainland China following the introduction of the new law. | Canada has warned its citizens in Hong Kong that they faced a higher risk of arbitrary detention and extradition to mainland China following the introduction of the new law. |
| The warning illustrates Western governments’ heightened concern for citizens under the new law that criminalizes subversion, secession, terrorism and colluding with foreign forces, reports Agence France-Presse. | The warning illustrates Western governments’ heightened concern for citizens under the new law that criminalizes subversion, secession, terrorism and colluding with foreign forces, reports Agence France-Presse. |
| “You may be at increased risk of arbitrary detention on national security grounds and possible extradition to mainland China,” Canada wrote in an updated travel advisory. | “You may be at increased risk of arbitrary detention on national security grounds and possible extradition to mainland China,” Canada wrote in an updated travel advisory. |
| In response, China said Canada’s actions were “completely unreasonable.” | In response, China said Canada’s actions were “completely unreasonable.” |
| The US, Japan and Australia are the latest to comment on the security laws China has imposed on Hong Kong. | The US, Japan and Australia are the latest to comment on the security laws China has imposed on Hong Kong. |
| “The CCP promised Hong Kong 50 years of freedom to the Hong Kong people, and gave them only 23,” said US secretary of state Mike Pompeo. Echoing the rhetoric of Beijing voiced earlier this year, Pompeo said the US would “not stand idly by while China swallows Hong Kong into its authoritarian maw.” | “The CCP promised Hong Kong 50 years of freedom to the Hong Kong people, and gave them only 23,” said US secretary of state Mike Pompeo. Echoing the rhetoric of Beijing voiced earlier this year, Pompeo said the US would “not stand idly by while China swallows Hong Kong into its authoritarian maw.” |
| Japan’s defence minister, Taro Kono, has warned China’s “unilateral attempt to change the status quo” might jeopardise a planned state visit by Xi Jinping. | Japan’s defence minister, Taro Kono, has warned China’s “unilateral attempt to change the status quo” might jeopardise a planned state visit by Xi Jinping. |
| Australia’s foreign minister, Marise Payne, expressed “deep concern”. “The people of Hong Kong will make their own assessments of how this decision will affect their city’s future,” said Payne. “The eyes of the world will remain on Hong Kong.” | Australia’s foreign minister, Marise Payne, expressed “deep concern”. “The people of Hong Kong will make their own assessments of how this decision will affect their city’s future,” said Payne. “The eyes of the world will remain on Hong Kong.” |
| “If you’ve ever said anything that might offend the PRC [People’s Republic of China] or Hong Kong authorities, stay out of Hong Kong,” said Donald Clarke, law professor at George Washington University, on the law’s broad reach for anyone anywhere in the world | “If you’ve ever said anything that might offend the PRC [People’s Republic of China] or Hong Kong authorities, stay out of Hong Kong,” said Donald Clarke, law professor at George Washington University, on the law’s broad reach for anyone anywhere in the world |
| The latest reaction from Beijing: | The latest reaction from Beijing: |
| Zhang Xiaoming, executive director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office said the law was a “birthday gift” for Hong Kong, and would be “a turning point” which put the city back on track for development. | Zhang Xiaoming, executive director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office said the law was a “birthday gift” for Hong Kong, and would be “a turning point” which put the city back on track for development. |
| Zhang said the law marked “a milestone in advancing the cause of ‘one country two systems’, and the law was the most important legislation the central government has enacted besides Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law. He said the new law was a “sword of damocles hanging over a tiny group of criminals who want to interfere in Hong Kong affairs”. | Zhang said the law marked “a milestone in advancing the cause of ‘one country two systems’, and the law was the most important legislation the central government has enacted besides Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law. He said the new law was a “sword of damocles hanging over a tiny group of criminals who want to interfere in Hong Kong affairs”. |
| Officials confirmed that someone travelling overseas to successfully lobby for sanctions could be charged with foreign collusion offences, or that provoking hatred of police – by spreading “rumours” of violence for instance - could be a national security offence. | Officials confirmed that someone travelling overseas to successfully lobby for sanctions could be charged with foreign collusion offences, or that provoking hatred of police – by spreading “rumours” of violence for instance - could be a national security offence. |
| Here is some more footage of the crowds gathered at Causeway Bay | Here is some more footage of the crowds gathered at Causeway Bay |
| Here are the latest statements from officials in Hong Kong: | Here are the latest statements from officials in Hong Kong: |
| Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam said the laws were “the most important development in relations between central - HKSAR since the handover”. It was “constitutional, lawful, sensible and reasonable”, she said. | Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam said the laws were “the most important development in relations between central - HKSAR since the handover”. It was “constitutional, lawful, sensible and reasonable”, she said. |
| Lam later told press the purpose of the legislation “was not just to punish, but also to deter”. Asked about threats to the press, Lam said “criticism comes under freedom of speech”. Lam said if journalists criticised the government as part of their work she couldn’t see why that would be an offence, but if the reporter was “involved in organising or colluding… that is another matter.” She said some internationally enshrined human rights were “not absolute”. | Lam later told press the purpose of the legislation “was not just to punish, but also to deter”. Asked about threats to the press, Lam said “criticism comes under freedom of speech”. Lam said if journalists criticised the government as part of their work she couldn’t see why that would be an offence, but if the reporter was “involved in organising or colluding… that is another matter.” She said some internationally enshrined human rights were “not absolute”. |
| Lam warned people “not to test our bottom line”, noting some offences carried a sentence of life in prison. | Lam warned people “not to test our bottom line”, noting some offences carried a sentence of life in prison. |
| Hong Kong police were ready for day one with official warning flags that chanting slogans or waving flags could see people arrested and charged under the new laws. They asked TV and radio stations to broadcast warnings that shouting independence slogans was inciting or abetting others to commit secession. | Hong Kong police were ready for day one with official warning flags that chanting slogans or waving flags could see people arrested and charged under the new laws. They asked TV and radio stations to broadcast warnings that shouting independence slogans was inciting or abetting others to commit secession. |
| Hong Kong Secretary of Security John Lee was explicit about the law’s aims to crush any community sentiments for independence. “With education prevention and enforcement we can turn the tide to let people know that protection on national security is everybody’s responsibility, and that advocacy for independence in Hong Kong is against the law.” He defended police already arresting people under a law no one was familiar with. “We will do education, but if something has outrageously broken the Hong Kong law, then the police have a duty to take action.” | Hong Kong Secretary of Security John Lee was explicit about the law’s aims to crush any community sentiments for independence. “With education prevention and enforcement we can turn the tide to let people know that protection on national security is everybody’s responsibility, and that advocacy for independence in Hong Kong is against the law.” He defended police already arresting people under a law no one was familiar with. “We will do education, but if something has outrageously broken the Hong Kong law, then the police have a duty to take action.” |
| Secretary of Justice Teresa Cheng said her department is legislated to control all the prosecutorial decisions “free from any interference”. “Therefore anyone who attempts to interfere or say ‘forget about the evidence just proceed to prosecute’, of course that won’t be listened to’.” | Secretary of Justice Teresa Cheng said her department is legislated to control all the prosecutorial decisions “free from any interference”. “Therefore anyone who attempts to interfere or say ‘forget about the evidence just proceed to prosecute’, of course that won’t be listened to’.” |
| Police are using pepper balls and water canons to try to break up protesters. | Police are using pepper balls and water canons to try to break up protesters. |
| We would like to hear from people from Hong Kong on how they feel about the new security law. Your responses are secure as the form is encrypted and only the Guardian has access to your contributions. You can get in touch using the link below. | We would like to hear from people from Hong Kong on how they feel about the new security law. Your responses are secure as the form is encrypted and only the Guardian has access to your contributions. You can get in touch using the link below. |
| Protesters in Causeway are chanting in unison: “Hong Kong independence!” and cursing police on a main street in Causeway Bay. Police officers who have formed a check line are holding up a blue flag warning people to leave or face arrests. Police are shooting pepper balls at protesters. | Protesters in Causeway are chanting in unison: “Hong Kong independence!” and cursing police on a main street in Causeway Bay. Police officers who have formed a check line are holding up a blue flag warning people to leave or face arrests. Police are shooting pepper balls at protesters. |
| Police have brought ten people out of a building in Causeway Bay and lined them up against a wall to search them. They have just been led away by police. Meanwhile, police officers have ordered a number of people to sit on the ground at a tram stop and they are searching their belongings. | Police have brought ten people out of a building in Causeway Bay and lined them up against a wall to search them. They have just been led away by police. Meanwhile, police officers have ordered a number of people to sit on the ground at a tram stop and they are searching their belongings. |
| Hong Kong police have asked TV and radio stations to broadcast warnings that shouting independence slogans is equivalent to inciting or abetting others to commit secession. | Hong Kong police have asked TV and radio stations to broadcast warnings that shouting independence slogans is equivalent to inciting or abetting others to commit secession. |
| Hello and welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of Hong Kong, where, on the territory’s first day under controversial national security laws, crowds have defied a ban on protests and gathered on the streets of the busy shopping district Causeway Bay. | Hello and welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of Hong Kong, where, on the territory’s first day under controversial national security laws, crowds have defied a ban on protests and gathered on the streets of the busy shopping district Causeway Bay. |
| Large numbers of riot police are present, and water cannon vehicles have been seen driving towards crowds. Police have fired pepper balls, and held up blue flags to disperse protesters, warning they would soon carry out arrests. | Large numbers of riot police are present, and water cannon vehicles have been seen driving towards crowds. Police have fired pepper balls, and held up blue flags to disperse protesters, warning they would soon carry out arrests. |
| The national security laws, imposed by Beijing, will give sweeping powers to the Chinese government and, critics fear, crush freedoms in the territory. China confirmed that some suspects could be extradited to the mainland under the new rules. | The national security laws, imposed by Beijing, will give sweeping powers to the Chinese government and, critics fear, crush freedoms in the territory. China confirmed that some suspects could be extradited to the mainland under the new rules. |
| My colleagues Verna Yu, Lily Kuo and Helen Davidson will be reporting the latest developments. Read our full report here, and follow our live blog for updates. | My colleagues Verna Yu, Lily Kuo and Helen Davidson will be reporting the latest developments. Read our full report here, and follow our live blog for updates. |