Hong Kong security, Police chiefs warn of growing ‘terrorism’ as national laws loom

Tuesday, 26 May 2020 01:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

HONG KONG (Reuters): Hong Kong’s security and Police chiefs said “terrorism” was growing in the city, as Government departments rallied yesterday behind Beijing’s plans to introduce national security laws after thousands took to the streets to protest against the move.

The security legislation, which could see Chinese intelligence agencies set up bases in Hong Kong and aims to tackle secession, subversion and terrorist activities, has sent shockwaves through the business and diplomatic communities.

“Terrorism is growing in the city and activities which harm national security, such as ‘Hong Kong independence’, become more rampant,” Secretary for Security John Lee said in a statement.

“In just a few months, Hong Kong has changed from one of the safest cities in the world to a city shrouded in the shadow of violence,” he said, adding national security laws were needed to safeguard the city’s prosperity and stability.Police said they arrested more than 180 people on Sunday, when authorities fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse anti-Government protesters as unrest returned to the Chinese-ruled city after months of relative calm.

Police Commissioner Chris Tang said there have been 14 cases involving explosives “commonly used in terrorist attacks overseas” and five seizures of firearms and ammunition since protests began in June last year.

The draft legislation “will help combat the force of ‘Hong Kong independence’ and restore social order. Police fully support it,” Tang said. In a return of the unrest that roiled Hong Kong last year, crowds thronged the streets of the city on Sunday in defiance of curbs imposed to contain the coronavirus, with chants of “Hong Kong independence, the only way out,” echoing through the streets.

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