Massive Protests in Hong Kong Against China’s Security Law, Many Countries Including US Condemned

Hong Kong : Dozens of people gathered at a mall here on Friday after voting in China’s ceremonial parliament to approve a law that severely limits opposition political activities and curbs civic institutions in the Asian financial center Hong Kong. Protesters demonstrated in a mall in this central district. Some were wrapped in banners with ‘Hong Kong’s Independence’ written on them..

Police waited in vehicles parked outside the mall but did not attempt to disperse the crowd. Hundreds of people were arrested during recent demonstrations. China’s National People’s Congress on Thursday voted in favor of a bill that will now be sent to its standing committee for final approval. Although the details of the final version of this law are not known, China says it will prohibit separatist activities and activities that would undermine the Communist Party’s monopoly over political power in the mainland of China.

Its supporters in China and Hong Kong are trying to defend the law from criticism of various countries, including the US. The US has threatened to revoke the special trade privileges granted to this former British colony. In 1997, it was entrusted to China under ‘one country, two laws’ and under it Hong Kong was guaranteed its political, legal, social institutions for 50 years. Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijan in Beijing said China considers Hong Kong as its own internal matter and will not tolerate anyone’s interference.