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Hong Kong police fire tear gas and water cannons as protesters rage over China plans for strict new security laws
RIOT police fired tear gas and water cannons at protesters in Hong Kong today as thousands took to the streets over China's plans to open state intelligence bases in the territory.
Protesters were seen cowering under umbrellas as cops with shields tried to disperse crowds of activists and journalists carrying 'Free Hong Kong' signs.
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Beijing insists it wants to prevent a repeat of last year's riots, which were triggered by a bill which would have allowed islanders to be extradited to mainland China.
However today's shocking scenes were chillingly similar to those seen on the former British colony at the end of last year.
Pro-democracy supporters have strongly criticised China's plans that would ban subversive activity and "foreign interference" in the semi-autonomous territory.
The pro-democracy camp says the proposal goes against the 'one country- two systems' framework that promises Hong Kong's citizens freedoms not found in mainland China.
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Crowds of demonstrators dressed in black gathered chanting slogans such as 'Stand with Hong Kong' and 'Liberate Hong Kong.'
The protest was a continuation of a months-long pro-democracy movement that began last year and has at times descended into violence between police and protesters.
Police raised blue flags - warning protesters to disperse - before firing multiple rounds of tear gas. They later fired a water cannon at the demonstrators.
At least 120 people were arrested, mostly on charges of unlawful assembly, police said later in a Facebook post.
They claimed protesters threw bricks and splashed unidentified liquid at officers, injuring at least four members of the police media liaison team.
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Earlier in the afternoon, prominent activist Tam Tak-chi was arrested during the protest for what police said was unauthorized assembly.
Tam said he was giving a health talk and was exempt from social-distancing measures that prohibit gatherings of more than eight people.
The bill that triggered Sunday's rally was submitted at the opening of China's national legislative session on Friday.
It would bypass Hong Kong's legislature and could allow mainland agencies to be set up in the city, sparking concern Chinese agents could arbitrarily arrest people for activities deemed to be pro-democracy.
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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said today that Hong Kong affairs were an internal matter for China, and that no external interference will be tolerated.
"Excessive unlawful foreign meddling in Hong Kong affairs has placed China's national security in serious jeopardy," he said, adding the proposed legislation does not affect the high degree of autonomy in Hong Kong.
"It does not affect the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents. And it does not affect the legitimate rights and interests of foreign investors in Hong Kong, he said.
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