Image copyright
AFP
There have been protests against the new law in Hong Kong, despite fear of severe punishment.
The books of pro-democracy figures have been removed from Hong Kong’s public libraries in the wake of a controversial new security law.
The works will be reviewed to see if they violate the new law, said the authority that administers the libraries.
The legislation targets secession, subversion and terrorism with punishments of up to life in prison.
Opponents say it erodes the freedoms of the territory as a semi-autonomous region of China. Beijing rejects this.
Hong Kong’s sovereignty was returned to China by Britain in 1997 and certain rights were supposed to be guaranteed for at least 50 years under the “one country, two systems” agreement.
Since the security law went into effect on Tuesday, several pro-democracy activists have resigned from their duties. One of them, former student leader and local legislator Nathan Law, fled the territory.
At least nine books are not available or marked “under review,” according to the South China Morning Post. They include books written or co-authored by Joshua Wong, a leading pro-democracy activist, and pro-democracy politician Tanya Chan.
On Saturday, Mr. Wong tweeted that the new law “imposes a continental-style censorship regime” in Hong Kong, calling it “one step away from … the actual book ban.”
Beijing has rejected criticism of the law, saying it is necessary to stop the kind of massive pro-democracy protests that were seen in Hong Kong for much of 2019, which sometimes exploded in very violent clashes between protesters and police .
- Why are people afraid of the new Hong Kong law?
- Minutes after the new law, the voices resigned
It has rejected complaints from the United Kingdom and other western nations that it is violating guarantees it made to protect Hong Kong’s unique freedoms as interference in its internal affairs.
Media playback is not supported on your device
What is the security law?
The law is very broad and gives Beijing powers to shape life in Hong Kong that it has never had before. The law incites hatred of the central government of China and crimes of the regional government of Hong Kong.
It also allows for closed-door trials, wiretapping of suspects, and the possibility of suspects being tried in mainland China.
Media playback is not supported on your device
Actions including damaging public transportation facilities, which often occurred during the 2019 protests, can be considered terrorism.
There are also concerns about online freedom, as internet providers may have to hand over data if the police request it.
New Hong Kong security law
