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| Hong Kong protests: nearly 400 arrested as security law comes in; UK opens pathway to citizenship - as it happened | |
| (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 |
| 370 people were arrested in the protests against a controversial security law imposed by Beijing, giving authorities sweeping powers to crack down on dissent and allowing China new levels of control over Hong Kong. | 370 people were arrested in the protests against a controversial security law imposed by Beijing, giving authorities sweeping powers to crack down on dissent and allowing China new levels of control over Hong Kong. |
| Ten of those arrested were detained under the new law, including a man with a Hong Kong independence flag, a woman holding a sign displaying the British flag and a 15-year-old girl, who was waving a Hong Kong independence flag. | Ten of those arrested were detained under the new law, including a man with a Hong Kong independence flag, a woman holding a sign displaying the British flag and a 15-year-old girl, who was waving a Hong Kong independence flag. |
| Police in Hong Kong fired teargas, pepper balls, rubber bullets and used water cannons in an attempt to disperse the thousands of protesters on Hong Kong’s streets. | Police in Hong Kong fired teargas, pepper balls, rubber bullets and used water cannons in an attempt to disperse the thousands of protesters on Hong Kong’s streets. |
| The British prime minister, Boris Johnson, denounced the law as a breach of its international treaty with China, while the UK foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, described it as a “grave and deeply disturbing step”. | The British prime minister, Boris Johnson, denounced the law as a breach of its international treaty with China, while the UK foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, described it as a “grave and deeply disturbing step”. |
| Johnson pledged to introduce a new five-year visa that would make Hong Kong’s 2.9 million citizens eligible to live and work in the UK and apply for citizenship. | Johnson pledged to introduce a new five-year visa that would make Hong Kong’s 2.9 million citizens eligible to live and work in the UK and apply for citizenship. |
| The law has also been condemned by governments including those of the US, Australia and Japan. | The law has also been condemned by governments including those of the US, Australia and Japan. |
| Amnesty International called the security law a “far-reaching threat to Hong Kong’s freedoms”. | Amnesty International called the security law a “far-reaching threat to Hong Kong’s freedoms”. |
| 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”. |
| However, 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”. | However, 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”. |
| That’s all from the liveblog today. You can read the full story here: | That’s all from the liveblog today. You can read the full story here: |
| And my colleague Lily Kuo takes a look at some of the most concerning parts of the new law in this analysis: | And my colleague Lily Kuo takes a look at some of the most concerning parts of the new law in this analysis: |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 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.” | 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: | 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. |