China arrests at least 10 at sea; HK media say suspects fleeing to Taiwan

HONG KONG (Reuters) – Chinese authorities have arrested at least 10 people after intercepting a boat off the coast of southern Guangdong province, the provincial Coast Guard said in a post on its social media site.

Hong Kong media, citing unknown sources, said 12 people from the former British colony were arrested as they sailed to Taiwan where they planned to apply for political asylum.

It was not clear what law they would be accused of violating, but if confirmed, it would be a rare instance of Chinese authorities arresting people from Hong Kong trying to leave the city.

The Guangdong Coast Guard said on its social media platform late on Wednesday that the people on the boat were arrested on August 23.

Two of the detainees were surnames Li and Tang, it said. It provided no further details and could not be reached for comment.

Hong Kong media identified one of those on the ship as Andy Li, who the media said was recently arrested under a sweeping national security law imposed by Beijing on its free city on June 30.

Chris Tang, the Chinese-led city police chief, told a news conference that he had not received any information from mainland authorities about the arrests.

In Taipei, the China Policy Council on mainland affairs did not confirm the media report, but said those who come to Taiwan through illegal means will face criminal charges, and reiterated the government’s promises of “humanitarian aid” to give to Hong Kong Protestants.

The new security legislation, opposed by many in Hong Kong, punishes what Beijing broadly defines as subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison.

The Hong Kong government, police and security bureau did not immediately respond to a request for comment.