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| Hong Kong protests: nearly 400 arrested as security law comes in; UK opens pathway to citizenship | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Police use water cannon and pepper spray as people take to the streets to protest new security law introduced by China | Police use water cannon and pepper spray as people take to the streets to protest new security law introduced by China |
| In a Facebook post, Hong Kong police confirmed that they arrested a total of 370 people on various charges, including unlawful assembly, possession of weapons and violating the new security law. | |
| Police said 10 people were arrested under the law, including a man with a Hong Kong independence flag and a woman holding a sign displaying the British flag and calling for Hong Kong’s independence all violations of the law that took effect Tuesday night. Others were detained for possessing items advocating independence. | |
| Boris Johnson denounced China’s imposition of a security law on Hong Kong as a “clear and serious” violation of its treaty with Britain, vowing to introduce a bespoke five-year visa for as many as 2.9 million Hong Kong citizens with British national (overseas) status. | |
| Speaking at prime minister’s questions on Wednesday he said the law introduced by the Chinese government constituted a clear and serious breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, signed in 1984 and aimed at smoothing the transition when the territory was handed back to China in 1997. | |
| The UK believes Beijing’s move violates Hong Kong’s autonomy and is in direct conflict with the territory’s Basic Law, its mini-constitution. The law also threatens the freedoms and rights protected by the joint declaration. | |
| The prime minister said: “We have made clear that if China continued down this path we would introduce a new route to those with British national (overseas) status to enter the UK granting them limited leave to remain with the ability to live and work in the UK and thereafter to apply for citizenship, and that is precisely what we will do now.” | |
| You can read the full story here: | |
| Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who founded the popular Apple Daily newspaper and is an outspoken pro-democracy activist, said that the enactment of the new security law meant that “Hong Kong is dead”. | Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who founded the popular Apple Daily newspaper and is an outspoken pro-democracy activist, said that the enactment of the new security law meant that “Hong Kong is dead”. |
| In an interview with the Associated Press, Lai said: “It’s worse than the worst scenario imagined. Hong Kong is totally subdued, totally under control.” | In an interview with the Associated Press, Lai said: “It’s worse than the worst scenario imagined. Hong Kong is totally subdued, totally under control.” |
| Lai predicted that many of his fellow pro-democracy activists would be scared into submission by the law, where anyone suspected of taking part in subversive, secessionist or terrorist activities, as well as colluding with foreign forces to intervene in the city’s affairs, could face a maximum punishment of life imprisonment. In some cases, mainland China will assume jurisdiction and suspects could be sent there for trial. | Lai predicted that many of his fellow pro-democracy activists would be scared into submission by the law, where anyone suspected of taking part in subversive, secessionist or terrorist activities, as well as colluding with foreign forces to intervene in the city’s affairs, could face a maximum punishment of life imprisonment. In some cases, mainland China will assume jurisdiction and suspects could be sent there for trial. |
| “We will have to see how many of us are left in the fighting camp,” he said. “This is going to be a very different society. I don’t think Hong Kong people, who are used to freedom and rule of law, will be able to adjust.” | “We will have to see how many of us are left in the fighting camp,” he said. “This is going to be a very different society. I don’t think Hong Kong people, who are used to freedom and rule of law, will be able to adjust.” |
| Lai predicted many people would leave but said he had no intention of moving abroad for safety. | Lai predicted many people would leave but said he had no intention of moving abroad for safety. |
| “I cannot (leave). If I leave, not only do I disgrace myself, I’d discredit Apple Daily, I’d undermine the solidarity of the democratic movement.” | “I cannot (leave). If I leave, not only do I disgrace myself, I’d discredit Apple Daily, I’d undermine the solidarity of the democratic movement.” |
| A statement by Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific regional director Nicholas Bequelin, described the new security law as a “far-reaching threat to Hong Kong’s freedoms”. | A statement by Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific regional director Nicholas Bequelin, described the new security law as a “far-reaching threat to Hong Kong’s freedoms”. |
| “With its vague language and provisions for secret trials, handpicked judges and mainland security agencies operating freely in the city, the law is wide open to politically motivated, capricious and arbitrary interpretation by the authorities,” he said. | “With its vague language and provisions for secret trials, handpicked judges and mainland security agencies operating freely in the city, the law is wide open to politically motivated, capricious and arbitrary interpretation by the authorities,” he said. |
| “Hongkongers are facing an assault by the Beijing authorities and the Hong Kong government on freedoms they have long enjoyed. Given how draconian the law is, the most effective way to protect people in Hong Kong from repression is to ensure strict adherence to human rights.” | “Hongkongers are facing an assault by the Beijing authorities and the Hong Kong government on freedoms they have long enjoyed. Given how draconian the law is, the most effective way to protect people in Hong Kong from repression is to ensure strict adherence to human rights.” |
| More than 300 protesters have been arrested, while police have fired teargas, pepper spray and water cannon at thousands of people who turned out today to oppose a national security law imposed by Beijing. | More than 300 protesters have been arrested, while police have fired teargas, pepper spray and water cannon at thousands of people who turned out today to oppose a national security law imposed by Beijing. |
| The law was condemned by the British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, as a “grave and deeply disturbing step”. Up to 3 million people in Hong Kong could be eligible to live, work or study in the UK, under a bespoke immigration system, he said. The law has also been condemned by governments including those of the US, Australia and Japan. | The law was condemned by the British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, as a “grave and deeply disturbing step”. Up to 3 million people in Hong Kong could be eligible to live, work or study in the UK, under a bespoke immigration system, he said. The law has also been condemned by governments including those of the US, Australia and Japan. |
| Of the hundreds of people arrested on Wednesday, nine were detained for offences relating to the new security law, such as holding signs or flags advocating for Hong Kong independence. Among them, was a 15-year-old girl, who was waving a Hong Kong independence flag. | Of the hundreds of people arrested on Wednesday, nine were detained for offences relating to the new security law, such as holding signs or flags advocating for Hong Kong independence. Among them, was a 15-year-old girl, who was waving a Hong Kong independence flag. |
| During the protests, police were seen pinning protesters to the ground, shooting pepper balls at people who heckled them, and targeting journalists with water cannon and rounds of pepper spray. | During the protests, police were seen pinning protesters to the ground, shooting pepper balls at people who heckled them, and targeting journalists with water cannon and rounds of pepper spray. |
| Hong Kong’s chief executive, Carrie Lam, called the law “the most important development in relations” between Hong Kong and China since the 1997 handover. She said that the purpose of the legislation “was not just to punish but also to deter”, and that some human rights were “not absolute”. | Hong Kong’s chief executive, Carrie Lam, called the law “the most important development in relations” between Hong Kong and China since the 1997 handover. She said that the purpose of the legislation “was not just to punish but also to deter”, and that some human rights were “not absolute”. |
| Shen Chunyao, the director of the National People’s Congress legislative affairs commission, rejected the international condemnation and threats of sanctions as “unwarranted accusations” and the “logic of bandits”. He said the law was “a perfect combination of adhering to the one country prerequisite and respecting the differences of two systems”. | Shen Chunyao, the director of the National People’s Congress legislative affairs commission, rejected the international condemnation and threats of sanctions as “unwarranted accusations” and the “logic of bandits”. He said the law was “a perfect combination of adhering to the one country prerequisite and respecting the differences of two systems”. |
| I’m now handing over to my colleague in London, Hannah Ellis-Petersen. | I’m now handing over to my colleague in London, Hannah Ellis-Petersen. |
| British MPs have called on the government to rethink its strategy and relationship with China. | British MPs have called on the government to rethink its strategy and relationship with China. |
| Conservative former party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said it was “time to hit them in the one place that China cares about, which is its economy”. | Conservative former party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said it was “time to hit them in the one place that China cares about, which is its economy”. |
| Duncan Smith told the Commons: “We run to China to buy goods and to invest, it is time for us now to review every single programme here in the UK and around the free world. | Duncan Smith told the Commons: “We run to China to buy goods and to invest, it is time for us now to review every single programme here in the UK and around the free world. |
| “We learnt a lesson 80 years ago about appeasement of dictators, maybe that should be applied today.” | “We learnt a lesson 80 years ago about appeasement of dictators, maybe that should be applied today.” |
| In a question directed at the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, Conservative MP Sir Bernard Jenkin asked: “What can we learn from the disastrous mistake of the government just a few years ago who thought we were embarking on some new golden era with this dictatorship?” | In a question directed at the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, Conservative MP Sir Bernard Jenkin asked: “What can we learn from the disastrous mistake of the government just a few years ago who thought we were embarking on some new golden era with this dictatorship?” |
| Speaking at prime minister’s questions, Boris Johnson accused China of a “clear and serious breach” of a key treaty with Britain by imposing the new national security law on the territory. | Speaking at prime minister’s questions, Boris Johnson accused China of a “clear and serious breach” of a key treaty with Britain by imposing the new national security law on the territory. |
| Johnson told the Commons: “The enactment and imposition of this national security law constitutes a clear and serious breach of the Sino-British joint declaration.” | Johnson told the Commons: “The enactment and imposition of this national security law constitutes a clear and serious breach of the Sino-British joint declaration.” |
| “It violates Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy and is in direct conflict with Hong Kong basic law,” added Johnson. | “It violates Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy and is in direct conflict with Hong Kong basic law,” added Johnson. |
| “We made clear that if China continues down this path we would introduce a new route for those with British national (overseas) status to enter the UK, granting them limited leave to remain, with the ability to live and work in the UK and thereafter to apply for citizenship - and that is precisely what we will do.” | “We made clear that if China continues down this path we would introduce a new route for those with British national (overseas) status to enter the UK, granting them limited leave to remain, with the ability to live and work in the UK and thereafter to apply for citizenship - and that is precisely what we will do.” |
| Scenes from Hong Kong’s streets | Scenes from Hong Kong’s streets |
| Lord Patten, Hong Kong’s last British governor before the 1997 handover, has described the new security law as Orwellian. “Heaven knows how it will affect the ability of journalists to report what’s happening in Hong Kong,” he told BBC Radio 4’s World at One. | Lord Patten, Hong Kong’s last British governor before the 1997 handover, has described the new security law as Orwellian. “Heaven knows how it will affect the ability of journalists to report what’s happening in Hong Kong,” he told BBC Radio 4’s World at One. |
| Up to 3 million people in Hong Kong could be eligible to live, work or study in the UK, under a bespoke immigration system announced earlier. But legal experts have questioned how much security this scheme will offer Hongkongers. | Up to 3 million people in Hong Kong could be eligible to live, work or study in the UK, under a bespoke immigration system announced earlier. But legal experts have questioned how much security this scheme will offer Hongkongers. |
| Kathryn Bradbury, partner and head of citizenship and immigration at the law firm Payne Hicks Beach, pointed out that the path to citizenship would take years and that immigration criteria could change. | Kathryn Bradbury, partner and head of citizenship and immigration at the law firm Payne Hicks Beach, pointed out that the path to citizenship would take years and that immigration criteria could change. |
| “This lacks certainty and would be extremely costly in home office application fees of over £10,000. It would be much more equitable to simply confer full British citizenship to these persons given their BNO status,” added Bradbury. | “This lacks certainty and would be extremely costly in home office application fees of over £10,000. It would be much more equitable to simply confer full British citizenship to these persons given their BNO status,” added Bradbury. |
| The Guardian’s Verna Yu reports from Hong Kong: | The Guardian’s Verna Yu reports from Hong Kong: |
| In Causeway Bay, some protesters were digging up bricks from pavements and placing them and other objects on the ground to block roads. Some set fire to objects on the streets. Police fired multiple rounds of pepper balls after protesters yelled at them. A water cannon, armoured vehicle and several police vehicles later arrived. A riot police officer fired pepper balls towards the crowds from an armoured vehicle and also fired at a group of journalists ordering them to leave. | In Causeway Bay, some protesters were digging up bricks from pavements and placing them and other objects on the ground to block roads. Some set fire to objects on the streets. Police fired multiple rounds of pepper balls after protesters yelled at them. A water cannon, armoured vehicle and several police vehicles later arrived. A riot police officer fired pepper balls towards the crowds from an armoured vehicle and also fired at a group of journalists ordering them to leave. |
| Outside the Time Square shopping centre, several hundred gathered and yelled: “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times,” and some waved pro-independence flags. Police said earlier people who shouted pro-independence slogans could be charged with national security crimes. The national security law also stipulates that arson is one of the acts that amount to terrorism, which is punishable by jail terms between three to 10 years. | Outside the Time Square shopping centre, several hundred gathered and yelled: “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times,” and some waved pro-independence flags. Police said earlier people who shouted pro-independence slogans could be charged with national security crimes. The national security law also stipulates that arson is one of the acts that amount to terrorism, which is punishable by jail terms between three to 10 years. |
| Hong Kong police have issued a statement, instructing crowds to “stop all illegal acts immediately”. | Hong Kong police have issued a statement, instructing crowds to “stop all illegal acts immediately”. |
| More than 300 people have now been arrested, including nine people who have been detained under the new security law. Earlier, police said a 15-year-old girl who had waved an independence flag was among those arrested under the new law. | More than 300 people have now been arrested, including nine people who have been detained under the new security law. Earlier, police said a 15-year-old girl who had waved an independence flag was among those arrested under the new law. |
| Police have stormed Times Square shopping mall, deploying pepper spray and pepper balls. Part of the mall has been cordened off. | Police have stormed Times Square shopping mall, deploying pepper spray and pepper balls. Part of the mall has been cordened off. |
| The British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, has given more information about the “bespoke” immigration route which will be made available to people in Hong Kong with a British national overseas passport. | The British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, has given more information about the “bespoke” immigration route which will be made available to people in Hong Kong with a British national overseas passport. |
| Under this system, the UK will grant eligible Hongkongers five years’ leave to remain, with a right to work or study. After these five years, people will be able to apply for settled status and, then, after a further 12 months, they will be able to apply for citizenship. | Under this system, the UK will grant eligible Hongkongers five years’ leave to remain, with a right to work or study. After these five years, people will be able to apply for settled status and, then, after a further 12 months, they will be able to apply for citizenship. |
| He said this route had been established in light of the UK’s historical commitment to Hong Kong. The introduction of the new security law was a “grave and deeply disturbing step”, he said. | He said this route had been established in light of the UK’s historical commitment to Hong Kong. The introduction of the new security law was a “grave and deeply disturbing step”, he said. |
| “China through this national security legislation is not living up to its promises to the people of Hong Kong. We will live up to our promises to them.” | “China through this national security legislation is not living up to its promises to the people of Hong Kong. We will live up to our promises to them.” |
| The British prime minister, Boris Johnson, has said the new security law in Hong Kong is a clear breach of China’s obligations. | The British prime minister, Boris Johnson, has said the new security law in Hong Kong is a clear breach of China’s obligations. |
| He added that the UK would now create a new route for people in Hong Kong, with a British national overseas passport to come to the UK and have a path to citizenship. | He added that the UK would now create a new route for people in Hong Kong, with a British national overseas passport to come to the UK and have a path to citizenship. |
| The British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, has accused China of a “clear and serious violation” of a treaty forged with the UK by imposing national security legislation on Hong Kong. | The British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, has accused China of a “clear and serious violation” of a treaty forged with the UK by imposing national security legislation on Hong Kong. |
| He said the UK would “honour” its commitment to citizens of the former British colony. The UK could extend the right for nearly 3 million Hongkongers to come to the UK. | He said the UK would “honour” its commitment to citizens of the former British colony. The UK could extend the right for nearly 3 million Hongkongers to come to the UK. |
| Raab said on Wednesday Beijing had breached the joint declaration signed between the UK and China to protect freedoms in the territory by enacting the controversial legislation. | Raab said on Wednesday Beijing had breached the joint declaration signed between the UK and China to protect freedoms in the territory by enacting the controversial legislation. |
| Protesters have been rounded up by the police on Thomson Road, Wan Chai, the South China Morning Post has reported. | Protesters have been rounded up by the police on Thomson Road, Wan Chai, the South China Morning Post has reported. |
| Here is the Guardian’s latest video report on today’s protests: | Here is the Guardian’s latest video report on today’s protests: |