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| Hong Kong saw widespread protests in 2019 when tens of thousands took to the streets demanding democratic reforms. Some of those demonstrations turned violent as protesters and police clashed. (Photo from BBC) |
[Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] Hong Kong police are investigating an incident where a crowd watching the Olympics booed China's anthem. BBC reported that hundreds gathered at a shopping mall on Monday to watch a broadcast and cheer on Hong Kong fencer Edgar Cheung, who won gold in the men's individual foil.
When the Chinese national anthem was played, some in the crowd began jeering while others shouted "We are Hong Kong", a video filmed at the scene shows. It’s illegal to insult the anthem under a recently passed law. Anyone found guilty of flouting the national anthem law could be jailed up to three years and fined HK$50,000 (£4,600, $6,400). Reports added that the British colonial flag was flown and some had chanted protest slogans, which could possibly violate the national security law which forbids anything that incites "secession" and could result in life in jail.
Police sources told local media that they are collecting and examining footage from the mall's security cameras. Meanwhile, the incident took place in the same week as the conviction of the first person charged under the national security law. Critics say those freedoms are now under threat with China's recent moves and the UK has accused China of flouting the terms of its handover agreement, but China denies this.
