UPDATE - Over 180 arrested for protests against Hong Kong law

UPDATES WITH NEW ARREST NUMBERS, REVISED HEADLINE, DECK: EDITS THROUGHOUT; ADDS OFFICIAL STATEMENTS

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) - More than 180 people have been arrested in Hong Kong as crowds gathered for demonstrations against China’s new security law, police said on Wednesday.

“Over 180 have been arrested for participating in unauthorized assemblies, disorderly conduct, possession of offensive weapon and other related offences, including 7 for suspectedly violating #NationalSecurityLaw,” the Hong Kong Police Force said in a tweet.

It warned that “arrest action is underway” and urged protesters to “stop breaking the law.”

The unrest comes a day after the contentious National Security Law came into force and on the 23rd anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China, marked on July 1.

According to the South China Morning Post, police have set up roadblocks and even used tear gas in some areas as thousands of people have turned out in various parts of Hong Kong.

“Lawful #HKProtests [Hong Kong protests] are always respected but unlawful acts are to be rejected … #HKPolice will take resolute enforcement action in accordance with #NSL [National Security Law],” the police tweeted.

It said protesters chanting independence slogans have been warned that they “may have breached” the new law.

Earlier, the police also announced the first arrest under the new legislation, a protester who was taken into custody for carrying an “independence” flag.

- ‘Stability and order’

A flag-raising ceremony was held at the Golden Bauhinia Square earlier in the morning to mark the anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China.

It was attended by top officials, including Chief Executive Carrie Lam.

She defended the new law in her address, saying it will help “restore stability and order” in Hong Kong, according to Chinese state-run media.

“Hong Kong will cooperate with the National Security Committee as soon as possible to improve national security mechanisms,” she said.

“The national anthem and national security laws further improve the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ mechanism and bring it back to the normal track.”

The security legislation was unanimously passed by China's National People's Congress on Tuesday and then signed into law by President Xi Jinping.

With six chapters and 66 articles, the law criminalizes four types of acts – “crimes of secession, subversion of state power, terrorist activities, and collusion with foreign or external forces to endanger national security.”

It has drawn criticism within Hong Kong and in the international community, which Beijing has dismissed as “foreign intervention.”

Hong Kong is a semi-autonomous region which has been part of China since 1997, when the UK handed over the former colony to Beijing.

Since last year, it has been mired in protests sparked by a move to legalize extradition of people to mainland China

*Islamuddin Sajid from Pakistan contributed to this story.