Hong Kong police have made their
first arrests under a new "anti-protest" law imposed by Beijing, as
crowds marked 23 years since the end of British rule.
Nine people were held accused of violating the law, including a man with a pro-independence flag. More than 300 others were detained at a banned rally.
The national security law targets secession, subversion and terrorism with punishments up to life in prison.
Activists say it erodes freedoms but China has dismissed the criticism.
Hong Kong's sovereignty was handed back to China by Britain in 1997 and certain rights were supposed to be guaranteed for at least 50 years under the "one country, two systems" agreement.
The UK has now said up to three million Hong Kong residents will be offered the chance to settle in the UK and ultimately apply for citizenship.
On Wednesday, thousands gathered for the annual pro-democracy rally to mark the handover anniversary, defying a ban by authorities who cited restrictions on gatherings of more than 50 people because of Covid-19.
Police used water cannon, tear gas and pepper spray on demonstrators. They said more than 300 people had been arrested, nine under the new law, which was adopted in the wake of last year's widespread unrest.
They included a man who was holding a "Hong Kong Independence" flag, though some Twitter users said the picture appeared to show a small "no to" written in front of the slogan. The man has not been identified, and it was not clear whether he would be prosecuted.
Source: BBC
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