Hong Kong police search 15 people on Handover anniversary, citing national security and public order

Hong Kong police conducted searches on 15 individuals on the territory's Handover anniversary, citing concerns for national security and public order. The individuals, aged 25 to 73, were stopped in Wan Chai and eastern Hong Kong Island.

One 32-year-old man was taken away for further investigation but was later released. Police stated that manpower was deployed to safeguard national security, public safety, and public order, based on risk assessments and operational needs. Activist Lee Ying-chi, who was previously arrested for alleged sedition, reported being followed by police and stopped for a search while wearing a t-shirt with a Mao Zedong slogan.

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Based on past experience and risk assessments, and in response to the situation and operational needs, the police deployed appropriate manpower on the afternoon of July 1 to safeguard national security, public safety, and public order.

Lee described the police presence as "absurd," questioning what threat she, as an elderly and seemingly insignificant individual, could pose. She noted that police were present when she went swimming and later waited outside her church.

July 1 marks the 29th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to Chinese rule. Historically, this day was characterized by large pro-democracy marches. However, since the enactment of the Beijing-imposed national security law, these traditional protests have been banned. In 2020, police cited pandemic restrictions to ban a march, leading to 70 arrests amid heavy police presence. In 2021, a large-scale march was again banned, and a man stabbed a police officer before taking his own life. The prominent pro-democracy group, the Civil Human Rights Front, which organized many of these marches, disbanded in August 2021.

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I am tiny and old. What could I possibly do?