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SCMP Reporters

Thousands of people gathered in Hong Kong on Wednesday in anger over Beijing's national security law, as the city marked 23 years since its handover from British to Chinese rule.
On the first full day of the legislation being in force in Hong Kong, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor held a press briefing, admitting the civil unrest that had rocked the city for months last year was sparked by past failures, and saying that the national security law showed 'Beijing's confidence' in the city.  
In Causeway Bay, police raised a new flag warning crowds they were violating the freshly minted law, but campaigners still gathered in defiance of a ban on the annual July 1 march. By evening the force made more than 300 arrests, some under the new legislation. 
Our live coverage below captured the day's events. Read the full story here.
Reporting by Sum Lok-kei, Lilian Cheng, Kanis Leung, Zoe Low, Laura Westbrook, Kathleen Magramo, Chan Ho-him, Phila Siu, Joyce Ng, Emily Tsang and Danny Mok


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Hong Kong protests

As it happened: more than 300 arrested in protests against Hong Kong national security law

Items being set alight in Causeway Bay. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Hong Kong government unveils national security law details

Hong Kong residents backing the new law celebrate its passage on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua

TOPSHOT - Police enter a shopping mall to disperse people attending a lunchtime rally in Hong Kong on June 30, 2020, as China passed a sweeping national security law for the city. - China passed a sweeping national security law for Hong Kong, a historic move that critics and many western governments fear will smother the finance hub's freedoms and hollow out its autonomy. (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP)

National security law will uphold ‘one country, two systems’ in Hong Kong, top Beijing official says

The national security law took effect on Tuesday night. Photo: Sun Yeung

Mr. Shen Chunyao, (L), Director of Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and Mr. Zhang Xiaoming (R), Executive Deputy Director of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of The State Council, talk about the issues on the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region at the press conference held at the State Council Information Office in Beijing, China, on July 1, 2020. July 1 marks the 23rd anniversary of the handover Hong Kong back to mainland China. SCMP/Simon Song

Mr. Zhang Xiaoming, Executive Deputy Director of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of The State Council, talk about the issues on the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region at the press conference held at the State Council Information Office in Beijing, China, on July 1, 2020. July 1 marks the 23rd anniversary of the handover Hong Kong back to mainland China. 01JUL20 SCMP/Simon Song

News

Hong Kong

Politics


Demonstrators encountered strong police presence on first full day of law coming into effect
Legislation was passed by Beijing a day before and adopted by local government close to midnight



Demonstrators encountered strong police presence on first full day of law coming into effect. 


Hong Kong handover anniversary

Hong Kong national security law (NSL)

Live

Hong Kong police have been told in a briefing on the new national security law that they can an immediately arrest anyone advocating Hong Kong independence or liberation.
Flags and banners bearing slogans relating to independence, liberation, and revolution, were now illegal, officers were told, according to a source.


Independence backers can be arrested, police told

Stirred by the new national security law, hundreds of people have gathered outside the Sogo department store in Causeway Bay.
Police warn they are taking part in an unlawful assembly and urge them to disperse peacefully.
Democratic Party lawmaker Wan Siu-kin has been pepper-sprayed and subdued by police, before he is taken away.





Hundreds gather in Causeway Bay, police issue warning

For the first time, police have raised a new purple flag that warns people they may be violating the national security law, which came into force last night.
Crowd outside Sogo in Causeway Bay boos police as the new purple flag is raised, warning people they may be violating the national security law
  Video: SCMP/Kathleen Magramo pic.twitter.com/VvHQqBO04P
  — SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) July 1, 2020
The flag says: “This is a police warning. 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 HKSAR [Hong Kong Special Administrative Region] National Security Law.
“You may be arrested and prosecuted.”

Police have started to clear people gathered outside the Sogo store. Causeway Bay MTR’s exit E has been shut.


Police raise new flag warning of security law violation

A man has been arrested for holding a Hong Kong independence flag in violation of the national security law.
Police said: “This is the first arrest made since the law has come into force.”
#BREAKING: A man was arrested for holding a #HKIndependence flag in #CausewayBay, Hong Kong, violating the #NationalSecurityLaw. This is the first arrest made since the law has come into force. pic.twitter.com/C0ezm3SGDm
  — Hong Kong Police Force (@hkpoliceforce) July 1, 2020


First arrest under national security law

A 28-year-old protester called Wong says he fears arrest but is prepared for that to happen.
Holding a copy of Mao’s “little red book”, he says: “Of course there is fear of being arrested after the promulgation of the national security law, but everyone out on the streets has to be psychologically prepared for that.”
Wong, who has joined the July 1 march every year since 2003, says: “It’s ironic that the July 1 march started because of Article 23 [the Basic Law provision requiring Hong Kong to enact its own national security legislation], and here we are 17 years later fighting something even more repressive.”


‘Everyone here should be prepared for arrest’

Mr Cheung, 52, says he took a sign out shopping with him reading “five demands not one less” in support of the anti-government movement.
Asked how people will protest in the future, he says “they will be like water”, repeating the mantra of the movement borrowed from the late martial arts actor Bruce Lee.
His son, who asks to remain anonymous, says he wants to join the protests but is worried about the risk of prosecution from expressing his views.
He is also worried about increased surveillance of what people say online.
However, the 23-year-old says he believes Hong Kong people will continue to protest.
“Hong Kong people are resilient. I cannot tell you how the protests will evolve but they will evolve.”


Protesting will ‘evolve’ following security law

Causeway Bay MTR station exits D1 and E have been temporarily closed, according to police’s official Facebook page.
Police briefly restricted the movement of journalists and protesters on Paterson Street, also in Causeway Bay.


Causeway Bay MTR exits closed

After police moved in to clear people gathering outside the Sogo department store, dozens have occupied Hennessy Road. Officers warn them they are taking part in an illegal assembly. 
Meanwhile, a water cannon and a police armoured vehicle are seen moving through Wan Chai in the direction of Causeway Bay. The police presence is also heavy in Wan Chai, although no groups of protesters have gathered there so far.
In Central, there are also no protesters for now but at least five police vehicles and two groups of riot police are stationed in the area.
Wheelock House, Citibank and Bank of Communications in Central are cordoned off as riot police patrol in Pedder Street, Central.
A 23-year-old protester says he is not afraid to demonstrate despite the risk of arrest. “I will continue to come out, I will not be cowed.”


Major Causeway Bay street occupied

In Wan Chai, a young man is taken away by riot officers after being found with a spray can of black paint and bottle of saline solution. 



Police detain man found with black paint and saline solution

Police at Paterson Street tell people to leave the area immediately
  Video: SCMP/Kathleen Magramo pic.twitter.com/JjWa9WZLS8
  — SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) July 1, 2020


Strict crowd control in Causeway Bay

Protesters on Great George Street and Fashion Walk have now gathered to shout slogans, while an elderly man waves a US flag. Protest slogans ringings out from the crowd include those from the months-long anti-government movement last year: “Five demands, not one less”, “no rioters, only tyranny” and “black cops”. 
Hundreds take to Causeway Bay, protesting the national security law
  Video: SCMP/Zoe Low pic.twitter.com/jeyNQliLUl
  — SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) July 1, 2020


Brazen defiance as foreign flag raised, slogans chanted

Speaking at a press conference, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor says implementation of the national security law follows a series of city failures, which she says has fuelled the rise of radicals.
“The HKSAR government has failed to have a deep understanding about ‘one country, two systems’ in order to handle it well.
“It’s been 23 years but we have not been able to fulfill our duty to enact national security legislation,” she says referring to the requirements to do so under the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution.
“Hong Kong has also failed to do better in education, especially of our youth, on the nation’s history and culture,” she continues, with all members of her cabinet present by her side for the speech.
 “It has also not been able to deepen the working relationship with the central government.
“All this has contributed to a crisis ... and the rise of local radical elements. This may have triggered the [protest] last year.”



Carrie Lam: Hong Kong failures have led to crisis

Lam says Hong Kong must implement the national security law as well as it can because its passage demonstrates how much confidence the central government has in the city.
“This is a law that is national in nature, affecting the wellbeing of 1.4 billion of Chinese people as well as the 7 million in Hong Kong,” the city’s chief executive says in her speech in Tamar.
“But most of the implementation of the law relies on the SAR government, except in very rare situations. We must do our best to implement the law, because this shows a high degree of confidence in us.”


‘Security law shows Beijing’s confidence in Hong Kong’

Li Hing-Nin, 52, is carrying a United States flag at the Causeway Bay march.
“I am doing this because I want the American government to do more to pressure the Chinese government to withdraw the law.”

He says he is not afraid of arrest under the national security law.
“Just because I raise this flag does not mean i have any connection to the US government. So it’s safe.”
Police have blocked off all streets between the Sogo department store and Victoria Park.
Protesters are milling around side streets, chanting slogans as they seek a route out.   


Why I raise the US flag: protester

Police use the water cannon outside the fire station in Hennessy Road, firing towards protesters but missing their target.




Water cannon fired in Causeway Bay

Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu says the bureau will establish a mechanism to ensure smooth communication between Hong Kong authorities and the mainland unit handling national security cases.
With growing numbers on the streets, he says: “I urge people not to test the bottom line of the law.”
Lee says police set up a dedicated unit on Wednesday for dealing with national security cases.
The National Security Department of Hong Kong Police will be overseen by a deputy commissioner of police, who is still to be appointed, and will have sufficient manpower with training.
It is responsible for collecting and analysing intelligence, deploying and executing operations, investigating cases, training staff, and conducting national security reviews and coordination.


Do not test the law, warns Hong Kong security chief

In Causeway Bay, hundreds of people have gathered in different locations despite police warnings they are taking part in unauthorised assemblies.
Police have used pepper spray on protesters there, and at least two more are receiving treatment from volunteer first-aiders after reportedly being hit.
In Wan Chai, hundreds of protesters are marching towards Admiralty. Some are shouting “Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times” and “Hong Kong independence, the only way out”.
In Central, no protesters have been spotted yet but there are three police vehicles parked near Landmark mall, and groups of riot police in the area.


The scale of the protests so far 

Police have arrested more than 30 people in Causeway Bay on suspicion of violation of the national security law, illegal assembly, and obstructing officers in execution of their duties.
The force says on a Facebook post that groups of people have gathered in various locations in Causeway Bay, disturbing public order.
It stressed that officers have warned them to leave but many still refuse to do so. The force urges protesters to immediately stop illegal activities.
Among those arrested are People Power politicians Raymond Chan Chi-chuen and Tam Tak-chi.


‘More than 30 arrests’ for breaking security law and other offences

Carrie Lam dismisses declarations from those saying they are determined to carry on their protests despite the implementation of the law.
She says of the security legislation: “Now that we have it, we will also enforce it with determination. I believe Hong Kong will restore its prosperity very soon.”
Delivering her speech in Admiralty, she says the government has a lot of work to do to ensure the public understands and embraces the new legislation.



‘Now we have it, we will enforce it with determination’

Asked whether criticising the national security law is now a crime, Carrie Lam says although freedom of speech is protected by the Basic Law and other human rights covenants applicable in Hong Kong, such rights are not absolute.
“Sometimes [human rights] have to be restrained to ensure ... security,” she said. 
Lam says if members of the press are fulfilling their duty in asking questions about the national security law, “she cannot see why” such activities would be considered an offence.
But it will be different if there is evidence to show that such activities involve colluding with foreign forces. “At the end of the day it is a matter of evidence,” she says.


Lam on balancing human rights and national security

The chief executive was asked about her new power authorising police to intercept communications and conduct covert surveillance on suspects. Previously police needed to obtain a court warrant.
“Yes this is a very important power given to the executive, because we are dealing with very serious offences ... I do not see how this executive power undermines the judiciary. They are separate matters,” Lam says.

Lam also notes that the international human rights treaties applying to Hong Kong state that human rights can be restrained for the protection of national security.
She avoids the question on whether she feels “remorseful” for her own administration failing to enact a national security law for Hong Kong before Beijing did so.


Lam hails ‘important’ surveillance power

Hundreds of people marching from Wan Chai to Admiralty have been turned away by police, who instruct them to walk back towards Causeway Bay. The force also deploys a water cannon in the shopping hub as it warns crowds against joining an illegal assembly. 
Accountant Alvin Ho, 26, says he feels there are fewer people out on the streets, and he is disappointed. 
“I think the main reason is that people don’t have a strong motivation to come out after things have quietened down for about half a year,” he says. 
He admits that he feels affected by the national security law, adding that he is unsure if he will be breaching the legislation if he repeats claims such as that of the coronavirus originating from Wuhan. 
But Ho insists he will continue to come out, although he is now unsure if protesters will change their strategy. 



‘People don’t have a strong motivation to come out now’

The justice minister is asked if chanting “Hong Kong independence” is outlawed by the national security legislation.
Teresa Cheng says the whole context of the remarks will have to be examined in each case.
“We can’t say whether it’s guilty of subversion or not by looking at just the slogan. We need to understand the intention behind, the background ... whether there are acts and what the evidence points to,” she says.


Will chanting ‘Hong Kong independence’ count as a crime?

In the final question of the Hong Kong government’s press conference, Teresa Cheng is asked about concerns that mainland agents enforcing the national security law in Hong Kong will not be subject to Hong Kong’s jurisdiction, under Article 60.
She responds by saying the office, through Article 50, will operate “in strict compliance with the law” and shall not “infringe upon the lawful rights and interests of any individual or organisation”.
Wrapping up the event, Cheng says: “So you see how the jurisdiction issue will work out.”
Earlier officials did not provide any clarity on whether media interviews with Hong Kong independence advocates will breach the law.

Cheng was earlier asked to define “hatred” under the Article 29 crime of colluding with foreign countries or external elements. It says an offence is committed if someone provokes hatred by unlawful means.
She refers to the main text of the article, which states someone will be guilty of collusion only if he or she steals or spies for a foreign country, requests a foreign country or an organisation to commit certain acts, or receives funding from them or is under their control.
“Whether a speech or an act constitutes hatred, we have to look at the whole article to determine [that],” Cheng says.
As for whether someone found guilty of an offence under the national security law will be disqualified from public office for life, Cheng does not give a definitive answer.
“The law does not say for how long they will be disqualified ... We have to consider that all these offences are of very serious nature.”


Justice minister responds to mainland Chinese agents’ immunity to Hong Kong laws

Officers fire pepper balls at people gathered in Causeway Bay to show their anger at the new national security law.
  Video: SCMP/Zoe Low pic.twitter.com/89QNGgPafu
  — SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) July 1, 2020


Pepper balls fired to disperse crowd in Causeway Bay

The crowd in the Causeway Bay park - the original starting point of the annual July 1 march - has grown to more than 1,000.
Hundreds of protesters are also in Times Square shopping centre chanting together.
Police say a woman holding a placard reading “Hong Kong independence” has been arrested for violating the national security law.
The force warns the public that the law is already in place and that officers will strongly enforce it.

Among those in the park are the Yeung family. “We make it a point to bring our three-year-old son to witness the city’s history,” Mrs Yeung says.
On whether they have any plans to emigrate, she says: “I’m definitely worried about the future, but Hong Kong is our home and we won’t leave this place.”


Victoria Park crowd swells above 1,000

Police say more than 70 people have been arrested so far, with two on suspicion of violating the national security law. In a Facebook post, the force says some people have blocked roads and disrupted public order. 
Police add that spikes were placed on roads in Wan Chai and these have pierced the tyres of some vehicles. 
Officers warn that chanting “Hong Kong independence, the only way out” may be in breach of the new legislation.



More than 70 arrested

Police have moved in to disperse hundreds of protesters occupying Causeway Road outside the Central Library, firing rubber bullets and pepper rounds at them. More than a dozen people have been subdued. 
But the crowd occupying Hennessy Road has grown to thousands despite police warning they are taking part in an illegal assembly. 
Police fire rubber bullets and pepper balls at protesters occupying the road outside the Central Library in Causeway Bay.
  Video: SCMP/Kathleen Magramo pic.twitter.com/ghvSqElJeK
  — SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) July 1, 2020


Thousands on Hennessy Road

Tension is brewing in Causeway Bay as protester numbers swell and police push them back with water cannons, rubber bullets and pepper rounds. Here are some images captured by our reporters and photographers.
Photos: Sam Tsang, Gigi Choy, Zoe Low and Laura Westbrook







Scenes from the ground

Police raise a purple flag on Canal Road West, Causeway Bay, after protesters chant “Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times” and “Hong Kong independence, the only way out”.

The flag reads: “This is a police warning. 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 HKSAR [Hong Kong Special Administrative Region] National Security Law. You may be arrested and prosecuted.”


Chants for independence trigger purple flag

Police have fired pepper spray and pepper balls to disperse crowds on Hennessy Road. Many protesters run in the direction of Times Square. Crowds are packed into the main atrium of the mall and on different levels. On a street outside, at least five people have been stopped by officers and have their hands secured behind their backs with cable ties. 

Throughout the day, protesters have been scattered in all directions with no clear destination to a planned illegal march, as officers push back. 




Crowds spill in different directions

An officer has been stabbed in the arm while trying to make arrests, police have reported on social media.
The force tweets: “During a #HKProtest, an officer was stabbed in the arm by rioters holding sharp objects when he was taking arrest action. While the by-standers offered no helping hand, suspects fled.”
They expressed their “strongest condemnation against such [a] violent act”.

Police later said the officer was trying to subdue an unlawful assembly suspect in Causeway Bay, but was attacked by a group whose number included someone with a small knife.

Photo: AFP


Police officer stabbed in arm

Police fire pepper balls at protesters outside Lane Crawford on Russell Street, Causeway Bay, after a water bottle is thrown at an officer trying to take away a woman.
Some officers enter Times Square briefly. Police stop and search several people afterwards.
Police fire pepper balls at a group of people after a bottle was thrown at officers in Times Square, Causeway Bay
  Video: SCMP/Chan Ho-him pic.twitter.com/PnpjAdPUjJ
  — SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) July 1, 2020


Pepper ball response to bottle thrown at officer

Here are more images captured by our photographers on the ground, as protesters continue to amass but are pushed in various directions by police, who warn them against taking part in an illegal assembly and violating the new national security law. Photos: Sam Tsang, Winson Wong and K. Y. Cheng




 



Protest in pictures

Dozens of protesters move around Wan Chai shouting slogans in support of Hong Kong independence.
But a 20-year-old student, surnamed Lam, says they are not raising their pro-secession flags anymore, with the new legislation now in force banning such activities.
“Protesters can’t raise their flags [on Hong Kong independence] anymore. It will be too obvious,” he says. 
On what comes next for the anti-government movement, he only says: “We have already done what we can do over the last year.”


Protesters supporting independence down their flags, banners

A Maxim’s Cakes in Percival Street, Causeway Bay, is believed to have been vandalised, with broken glass seen strewn outside the shop.
Businesses under catering giant Maxim’s Group have been repeatedly smashed up since last summer following comments by the founder’s daughter criticising demonstrators.



Glass smashed at shop often targeted by radical protesters

Two witnesses say they earlier saw an officer throw a handheld tear gas canister in the direction of protesters on Percival Street, near the junction with Foo Ming Street.



Tear gas in Causeway Bay, witnesses say

Police say more than 180 people have been arrested in relation to Wednesday’s protests, as of 5.30pm.
Seven of those - three men and four women - are held on suspicion of violating the national security law.
The force says on its Facebook page that since noon, groups have gathered in Causeway Bay and Wan Chai, some vandalising shops. 
Three females were arrested respectively for showing materials with #HKIndependence slogans in #CausewayBay, violating #NSL. Anyone who organises, plans, commits or participates in committing secession or undermining national unification shall be guilty of an offence. pic.twitter.com/SB3vYQyiha
  — Hong Kong Police Force (@hkpoliceforce) July 1, 2020
 
Those arrested are held for offences including unauthorised assembly and possession of offensive weapons.
Police announced that, as of 5.30pm, more than 180 people have been arrested in Causeway Bay and Wan Chai, during a day of protest against the national security law Beijing has imposed on Hong Kong.
  Video: SCMP/Laura Westbrook pic.twitter.com/beVnGwmtzm
  — SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) July 1, 2020


180 arrests, 7 for breaking national security law

Protesters drag metal railings into the street to obstruct King’s Road in Tin Hau. On the same road, the glass panels of a Starbucks branch have been shattered.
Brands under catering giant Maxim’s Group have been a target of protesters since last year, when the founder’s daughter made critical comments about demonstrators.




Roadblock set, Starbucks smashed in Tin Hau

More than 100 people have gathered outside the Times Square mall in Causeway Bay, some waving Hong Kong independence flags. 
Police had warned earlier that even chanting slogans calling for independence may be in violation of the national security law.
More than 100 protesters gather at Times Square, some of them chanting slogans calling for Hong Kong independence despite the police's earlier warning that this action can be in violation of the national security law.
  Video: SCMP/Chan Ho-him pic.twitter.com/q4thv9A88t
  — SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) July 1, 2020
 
“Hong Kong independence, the only way out!” the protesters shout. 
Others are waving flags that say “Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times”.
Throughout the day, defiant protesters have chanted their usual slogans despite the passage of the new law.
Photo: Xiaomei Chen


More chants for independence

Civic Party lawmaker Kwok Ka-ki says he is in Causeway Bay to provide assistance to the public, urging ordinary citizens to leave the area so they will not get caught up in arrests.
He says the new national security law will permeate every part of Hong Kong society.
“Today is the end of one country, two system. From today it is one country, one system,” he says.


Lawmaker urges public to leave streets to avoid arrest

Police have used a water cannon on Hennessy Road near Tonnochy Road in Wan Chai, firing towards protesters on both sides of the road. 


The water cannon is heading towards Causeway Bay.
A water cannon charges a group of around a hundred protesters on Hennessy Road.
  Video: SCMP/Mat Booth pic.twitter.com/8scaluaZqT
  — SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) July 1, 2020


Water cannon used on Hennessy Road

At least three of those held on suspicion of violating the legislation on Wednesday were carrying ‘Hong Kong independence’ material, police say.
Offering more detail on the seven arrests, police say two were detained after they were found with pro-secession items in their possession.
A third person, a 15-year-old girl, was arrested after she was seen waving a flag bearing that message.


15-year-old among the 7 security law arrests

Some 87 people are rounded up and taken to police vehicles in Thomson Road, Wan Chai, during the protests against the national security law.
A group of 87 people have been taken to police vehicles on Thomson Road, Wan Chai, on a day of protest against the national security law Beijing has imposed on Hong Kong.
  Video: SCMP/Zoe Low pic.twitter.com/XCMmMdWhWp
  — SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) July 1, 2020


Police round up 87 people in Wan Chai

Protesters have placed paving bricks on Percival Street to block the road outside the Times Square mall. Police arrive on the scene after about 10 minutes and begin clearing the blocks from the road.
Nearby, protesters build a roadblock and light a fire at the junction of Percival Street and Foo Ming Street. 
In a Facebook post, police say that at around 6.30pm, protesters blocked roads in Causeway Bay with plastic buckets and traffic cones, while some lit cardboard.





Bricks used to block road in Causeway Bay

Riot police stormed Times Square and deployed pepper spray and fired pepper balls. Officers stopped and searched at least two men and led away a male teenager. Part of the second floor was cordoned off, but people are able to use the escalator to get down to the ground floor.
Inside the mall, an argument breaks out between a Sha Tin district councillor and officers. The councillor accuses police of stealing his phone, while officers ask him to turn it off. Police then declare they have decided to arrest him. 
— SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) July 1, 2020
About 30 people have been stopped and searched on the ground floor. At least 10 people have been zip-tied after being stopped and searched on the ground floor.


Photos: Thomas Chan, May Tse


Police move into Times Square mall, arrests made

A police source says the bomb disposal squad is on its way to a site near the CC Wu Building in Wan Chai where a cardboard box reportedly exploded with a loud bang, emitting smoke and giving off a strong smell.
Riot police are cordoning off the area nearby.


Bomb squad called to Wan Chai site after cardboard box reportedly explodes

Police say that as of 8pm they have arrested more than 300 people, including nine for allegedly violating the national security law.


More than 300 arrested as of 8pm

Following a day of cat-and-mouse chases with police, most protesters appear to have left the streets of Causeway Bay and Wan Chai. 
Dozens of officers remain at the Times Square mall, where protesters had earlier gathered. About 30 people are being held by police on the ground floor of the mall while officers stop and search people inside.
Earlier in the day, thousands took to the streets of Causeway Bay to show their anger at the national security law, shouting slogans advocating independence for the city and chanting popular protests ones such as “Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times”.
Hundreds tried to march from Causeway Bay to Admiralty but were turned away by police.


Streets quieter after day of cat-and-mouse chases

At least 20 people, most of them zip-tied, have been taken away by police from Times Square mall. Dozens of officers remain at the site.
Some of the people detained by the police at Time Square are being taken away one after the other. Dozens of officers earlier ran into the mall, stopping and searching people inside.
  Video: SCMP/Kathleen Magramo pic.twitter.com/pqukoccwHO
  — SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) July 1, 2020


At least 20 taken away by police from Times Square

In a Facebook post, police slam protesters for scattering documents containing personal information of officers all over the second floor of Times Square mall. The force says the court order banning the doxxing of officers and their families still stands. 
Earlier, police rounded up the last batch of 10 people detained at the mall and left the site. Cordons have been lifted. 


Police leave Times Square, slam doxxing

Police have left Times Square mall and hardly any officers are seen in the area. In other parts of the city, crowds have mostly dispersed. 
With tensions subsiding, we are now closing the live blog. Please look out for our wrap of the day’s events, coming soon. 


As it happened: more than 300 arrested in protests against Hong Kong national security law

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Demonstrators encountered strong police presence on first full day of law coming into effect Legislation was passed by Beijing a day before and adopted by local government close to midnight

Demonstrators encountered strong police presence on first full day of law coming into effect

Legislation was passed by Beijing a day before and adopted by local government close to midnight