The new Security Act, which came into force at 11pm on Tuesday local time, means, among other things, that activists who disseminate information in support of independence can be arrested and prosecuted, the Hong Kong police warns. And just a few hours later, at noon local time, the police announced that they had made their first arrest with reference to the new law.
The detainee held up a flag with the text "Independence for Hong Kong", according to police, who posted a picture of the man on his Twitter account.
But that has not deterred other protesters from continuing to protest and police have deployed a water cannon to try to disperse them, Reuters reports. Around 15 o'clock local time, information about further detention came.
Violations of the Security ActA total of 30 people have been arrested on charges of unlawful assembly, violation of the Security Act, obstruction of police work and possession of weapons, according to Reuters.
Now that Beijing has revealed its content, critics both inside and outside Hong Kong agree that the Security Act is restricting Hong Kong nationals' rights and that it is seriously threatening the city's autonomy, democracy and financial center status.
The punishment in the new Security Act could be up to life imprisonment, according to Reuters. The law applies to everyone who is in Hong Kong, including foreigners. It overturns existing legislation in the Special Administrative Region. In addition, Beijing takes over the legal control of "complex" cases that threaten the security of the kingdom.
Rejects the criticismFrom the outside world, condemnation continues to unfold.
"What is happening is extremely worrying, as we believe that Hong Kong's autonomy is gradually being eroded," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told ZDF public service channel.
China rejects international criticism by claiming that Hong Kong is China's sole cause.
- What do you have to do with this? This does not concern you, Zhang Xiaoming of the Chinese Parliament's Hong Kong Committee told AFP news agency.