Hong Kong students join protest rally in Taipei

In Taiwan about a dozen people protested on Tuesday against the Hong Kong government over the arrest of 47 pro-democracy lawmakers.

Hong Kong police detained 47 pro-democracy activists last Sunday on charges of conspiracy to commit subversion under the city's national security law imposed by China.

Students in Taipei were seen holding posters and chanting outside Parliament.

Chen Wei-an, a student of National Taiwan University, said Taiwan has a history of resisting authoritarianism and should stand with Hong Kong people.

Hong Kong students who study in Taiwan also came to join the protest and criticized Hong Kong authorities for "using coercive and unreasonable methods to suppress the voice of the people".

The detained former Hong Kong lawmakers and democracy advocates were previously arrested in a sweeping police operation in January but were released. They were detained Sunday and the hearing continues.

The cases represent the largest mass charge against the semi-autonomous Chinese territory's opposition camp since the law came into effect last June.

Those arrested allegedly violated the national security law for participating in unofficial election primaries for Hong Kong's legislature last year.