Security tight in Hong Kong on China anniversary, official says city now stable

HONG KONG: Police deployed in the streets of Hong Kong in large numbers on Thursday (Jul 1) to prevent protests on the anniversary of its return to Chinese rule, and its acting leader said a national security law had brought order back to the city after chaos.

Police vans, water cannon trucks, armoured vehicles and police units patrolled the streets. Passers-by were stopped and searched, with three people arrested in the Mong Kok district for allegedly distributing "seditious" leaflets.

Parts of Victoria Park on Hong Kong Island - where an annual civil society and pro-democracy march normally kicks off - were shut down to prevent any public processions or meetings from taking place.

In the morning, Hong Kong's acting leader John Lee said in a speech the authorities would to take a "steady stance" to protect national security.

He said the security law had made Hong Kong turn from chaos to order. The situation had now returned to stability and the future is bright, Lee said.

"Hong Kong absolutely has the conditions to rebound," he said.

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Beijing imposed the security law on Jun 30 last year to punish anything China deems as subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison.

The security law was Beijing's first major step to put the global financial hub onto an authoritarian path, kick-starting a campaign dubbed "patriots rule Hong Kong", which included moves to reduce democratic representation in the city's legislature and various screening mechanisms for politicians.

Lee was speaking for the first time as acting city leader at a flag-raising ceremony marking the 24th anniversary of the former British colony's return to Chinese rule in 1997, which coincides with the centenary of the Chinese Communist Party.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam and other senior officials were invited to Beijing for the party celebrations. Lee was appointed as her number two last week after playing a key role in the crackdown over the past year as security secretary.

READ: China promotes security officials to senior roles in Hong Kong

Critics of the government say it has used the security law to crush dissent in the city.

"On the day of Jul 1, I am nothing more than one of tens of thousands of Hong Kongers who want their voices heard," tweeted pro-democracy campaigner and barrister Chow Hang-tung, who was re-arrested on the eve of the sensitive anniversary.

"They want to kill the monkey to scare the chicken, then we must let them know Hong Kongers won't give up."

Officials in Beijing and Hong Kong say the new law has plugged national security "loopholes" exposed by anti-government demonstrations in 2019.

So far under the law, described as a "birthday gift" by senior Chinese official Zhang Xiaoming when it was introduced last year, authorities have arrested 117 people, mostly democratic politicians, activists, journalists and students.

READ: 117 people arrested in Hong Kong in a year under national security law

Beijing said it was necessary after mass protests in 2019 that have been described as acts endangering national security. Many protesters, however, say they were demanding Beijing respect constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms.

Usually on Jul 1, tens of thousands of people take to the streets in Hong Kong to protest against anything from Beijing's manoeuvres in the city to unaffordable housing.

READ: Hong Kong security law 'a human rights emergency': Amnesty

That tradition, which set the semi-autonomous city apart from tightly controlled mainland China, is unlikely to be followed by many people this year after police denied permission for a rally, citing coronavirus restrictions.

"It is crystal clear that under the NSL (national security law), over a year, it does have a chilling effect on Hong Kong people ... less people would have the confidence to go on the street to speak out," said Raphael Wong, an activist with the League of Social Democrats.

The group held a protest with three others in the morning that was hemmed in by dozens of police. They held up a yellow banner calling on authorities to "free all political prisoners".