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Published 12:50 IST, May 24th 2020

Police make more arrests during Hong Kong protest

Hong Kong police fired volleys of tear gas in a popular shopping district as hundreds took to the streets on Sunday to march against China's proposed tough national security legislation for the city.

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Hong Kong police fired volleys of tear gas in a popular shopping district as hundreds took to the streets on Sunday to march against China's proposed tough national security legislation for the city.

Pro-democracy supporters in Hong Kong have sharply criticized China’s proposal to enact a national security law that would ban secessionist and subversive activity, as well as foreign interference and terrorism in the semi-autonomous territory.

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Police have been seen questioning those attending the protest in the Wan Chai district of Hong Kong, as well as warning those gathering that the protest was "in breach of the law" and ordering people to disperse "or we may use force".

The protests come two days after the proposed bill was submitted on Friday, the opening day of China’s national legislative session. Sunday's rallies are a continuation of a monthslong pro-democracy movement that began last year and has at times descended into violence between police and protesters.

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The new law, expected to be passed on May 28, would bypass the city’s legislature and allow the Hong Kong government to set up mainland agencies in the city, sparking fears that this would allow Chinese agents to arbitrarily arrest people for activities deemed to be pro-democracy.

12:50 IST, May 24th 2020