Hong Kong police on July 1 made the first two arrests under a new national security law imposed by the Chinese communist regime.
The two individuals, a man and a woman, were detained for holding pro-independence flags. The Hong Kong Police Force said they were suspected of violating the Chinese regime’s national security law. They were among more than 70 people arrested by riot police by 4 p.m.
It came less than 24 hours after Beijing’s draconian national security law came into effect. The law, which was imposed at 11 p.m. on June 30, stipulates that offenders, if convicted of secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces, could be imprisoned for life.
Riot police on Wednesday confronted thousands of protesters who gathered in Causeway Bay and Wan Chai to mark 23 years since the city was handed over from British to Chinese rule.
Crowds spilled out into the streets chanting “resist till the end” and “Hong Kong independence.”
Officers used pepper spray and water cannons to disperse crowds as they arrested more than 70 people, some for “unlawful assembly, violating the security law, obstructing police, and possession of weapons.”
The police said earlier that the first arrest was of a man in the central Causeway Bay neighborhood who violated Beijing’s national security law by holding a flag calling for Hong Kong’s independence.
According to a police statement, the man was arrested after police had issued multiple warnings to the crowd at the shopping district that they might be in violation of the law.
Riot police cited the law for the first time on Wednesday in confronting protesters.
“You are displaying flags or banners/chanting slogans/or conducting yourselves with an intent such as secession or subversion, which may constitute offences under the ... national security law,” police said in a message displayed on a purple warning banner.
Any person taking part in secessionist activities, such as shouting slogans or holding up banners and flags urging for the city’s independence, is now in violation of the law regardless of whether violence is used.
The most serious offenders of the legislation, such as those deemed to be masterminds behind the crimes, could receive a maximum punishment of life imprisonment. Lesser offenders could receive jail terms of up to three years, short-term detention, or restriction.
Under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which set the terms of Hong Kong’s transfer to Chinese rule, the regime agreed to grant the city autonomy and freedoms not enjoyed in the mainland, under the formula of “one country, two systems.”
The legislation, named the “Hong Kong Safe Harbor Act,” was sponsored by Republican Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.), along with Democrats Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.).
Under the legislation, Hong Kongers who have “a well-founded fear of persecution” will be eligible for priority 2 refugee processing in Hong Kong or a third country, and the bill waives immigration intent as a factor in granting non-immigrant visas.
“Refugees from Hong Kong will not be subjected to the numerical limitation,” a release stated.
The Hong Kong Safe Harbor Act would also allow Hong Kong residents to remain eligible for refugee status as victims of political persecution if Beijing were to revoke residency for applying for refugee status or a U.S. visa.
