Hundreds Arrested As Day Of Violence Greets New Law

Violent scenes erupted in parts of Hong Kong Island on Wednesday as police and protesters clashed a day after the implementation of a new national security law the authorities said would bring peace and stability to the city.

Police said one their officers was stabbed in the arm, while journalists and others were hit by pepper spray, tear gas and water cannon.

At about 10.40pm, police said around 370 people had been arrested, including 10 on suspicion of violating the new security legislation.

The force uploaded a gruesome picture of a policeman with what appeared to be a serious wound to his arm.

"An officer was stabbed in the arm by rioters holding sharp objects when he was taking arrest action. While the bystanders offered no helping hand, suspects fled," a Twitter post said.

Protesters dug up bricks, damaged railings and smashed some windows, also blocking all six lanes of Hennessy Road at one point as they chanted "Hong Kong independence".

TV footage showed a biker holding an independence flag driving towards a group of police officers in Wan Chai. A truck blocks the camera's view, and subsequent footage shows the motorcyclist lying on the ground.

The force said it had arrested a 23-year-old on suspicion of breaching the national security law and driving dangerously, saying three officers had suffered injuries to their hands and knees.

Police used pepper spray on multiple occasions throughout the afternoon. Journalists were among those hit, and police also fired pepper balls at a group of reporters, causing some to feel unwell.

Some journalists were also hit by water cannon, with a video shared online apparently showing a reporter taking a direct hit and being sent flying some distance along Fleming Road.

The Hong Kong Journalists Association condemned what it described as police "attacks" on media workers and demanded an end to the violence.

Pro-democracy lawmakers Andrew Wan and Ray Chan were among the day's hundreds of arrests.

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