Violence at Sunday protests proves urgent necessity of Beijing’s new national security law, Hong Kong security chief says

John Lee cites security laws in US, Canada, Britain and Australia as proof that controversial legislation falls within international norms

But opposition lawmaker Claudia Mo insists ‘those foreign countries have real separation of powers [and a] robust press’ during Legco debate

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Protesters block traffic on Hennessy Road in Wan Chai during a march against Beijing’s planned national security law for the city. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 6:59pm, 27 May 2020Updated: 11:37pm, 27 May 2020

Acts of violence at Sunday’s anti-government protests only served to drive home the urgency of Beijing’s proposed national security law for the city, Hong Kong’s security chief has said.

Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu’s remarks at the Legislative Council on Wednesday came shortly before the second reading of a controversial national anthem bill, which resumed in the afternoon.

Lawmakers are expected to vote on the bill, which would criminalise insults to March of the Volunteers, on June 4, when huge crowds have traditionally taken part in a candlelight vigil commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.

Hong Kong Secretary for Security John Lee defended Beijing’s looming imposition of a national security law at the Legislative Council on Wednesday. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

The four-day debate began as a series of protests broke out across the city on Wednesday afternoon, with hundreds gathering in various districts around Hong Kong Island and Kowloon to oppose both the proposed national security legislation and the anthem bill.

Police officers fired pepper balls to disperse protesters gathering at lunchtime, and arrested more than 300 people for taking part in an unauthorised assembly in areas including Central, Causeway Bay and Mong Kok.