Hong Kong security law 'needed to tackle terrorism'

Hong Kong needs a controversial new security law to tackle "growing terrorism", the territory's security chief has said. John Lee said the city had become "shrouded in the shadow of violence". After months of quiet, this weekend saw a fresh surge of protest after the government in Beijing proposed a security law which would radically change Hong Kong's unique status. Opponents say it is a direct attempt to limit freedoms and silence critics.

The bill was put forward on Thursday as China's parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC), met for its delayed annual gathering. China's foreign minister, Wang Yi, said the legislation - which would ban "treason, secession, sedition and subversion" - should be brought in "without the slightest delay". On Sunday, thousands of people defied government warnings and marched through the city centre to protest against the bill. Riot police fired tear gas and water cannon at demonstrators, who were wearing face masks to protect against the spread of coronavirus. There were at least 180 arrests.

In a statement on Monday, Secretary for Security John Lee said that in the past year, "the violence in Hong Kong has been escalating, with many cases involving explosives and genuine firearms".

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