City
Epaper

100 kids arrested over HK national anthem, security law unrest

By IANS | Updated: May 29, 2020 14:25 IST

Nearly 100 children were arrested during this week's protests in Hong Kong against China's plan to press ahead with ...

Open in App

Nearly 100 children were arrested during this week's protests in Hong Kong against China's plan to press ahead with a national security law for the city, and also the controversial national anthem bill, a media report said on Friday.

In total, 396 people were arrested on Wednesday and Thursday, the South China Morning Post quoted the police force as saying.

Those arrested were aged between 12 and 70, and comprised 234 men and 162 women.

In Hong Kong, anyone under the age of 18 is considered to be a child.

Offences ranged from possession of offensive weapons, and possession of instruments fit for unlawful purpose, to unlawful assembly, and joining unauthorised assemblies.

The protests came as lawmakers began a four-day debate over the national anthem law at the Legislative Council.

Voting on the bill, which would criminalise insults to "March of the Volunteers", is expected to take place on June 4.

But most of the anger was driven by Beijing's plan to press ahead with a national security law for Hong Kong, said the South China Morning Post newspaper.

On Thursday, China's top legislature, the National People's Congress, approved a resolution prohibiting acts of secession, subversion, terrorism or conspiracy with foreign influences in the city, before sending it to the Standing Committee to craft the finer details.

Beijing's move has raised widespread concerns over the implications for existing local freedoms, with some warning it could be the end of Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy under the "one country, two systems" principle.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: beijingHong KongSouth China Morning PostLegislative Council
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalTariff War: US Postal Service Suspends Incoming Packages From China and Hong Kong

InternationalNew Year's Hong Kong to Los Angeles Flight Takes Passengers Back in Time, Departs in 2025 and Lands in 2024

CricketTeam India to Participate in Hong Kong Sixes 2024

InternationalBeijing on Orange Alert As Heavy Rain and Strong Winds Batter City

MaharashtraPolitical Speculations Abound as Devendra Fadnavis Meets Raj Thackeray on the Eve of Lok Sabha Election Results

International Realted Stories

InternationalAfter meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump questions Putin's willingness to stop Ukraine war

InternationalProtests continue in Sindh against Pak govt's Indus River canal project

InternationalUnder patronage of UAE President, Abdullah bin Zayed inaugurates 34th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

InternationalPalestine President Mahmoud Abbas appoints Hussein al-Sheikh as PLO deputy

InternationalAt least 14 people killed, 750 others injured in explosion at key Iranian port