'Police Can't Wait For Public Education On New Law'

Security Secretary John Lee has defended the arrests of at least two people on the first full day of the implementation of the national security law, saying it was "common sense" for residents to start abiding by the legislation the moment it came into effect.

At least two people suspected of having pro-independence placards or flags were taken away by police in Causeway Bay on Wednesday.

During a press conference, Lee was asked whether such arrests are reasonable or fair, given that details of the law were only made known to the public several hours earlier.

“When the law is promulgated, it becomes effective law in Hong Kong. When it becomes effective law in Hong Kong, everybody has to abide by it. That is always the law of Hong Kong, that is what the Basic Law says, and I think that should be our common sense and common knowledge”, he said.

While the government will step up publicity work, Lee said that serious offences like national security violations must be reined in immediately.

“We will do education, but if something has outrageously broken the Hong Kong law, then the police have a duty to take action.”

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Carrie Lam sought to reassure the public and members of the media that they will still enjoy freedom of speech and expression under the sweeping new law.

When asked by a CNN reporter whether journalists will be arrested for criticising the controversial legislation, she said reporters have nothing to worry about as long as they have no “ulterior motives”.

“Criticism comes under freedom of speech… if individuals, including reporters from CNN, are discharging their role and they feel that something is not right, they want to criticise, I don’t see why that will become an offence. But of course, if there’s more behind it, if you are involved in organising or colluding and so on, then that is another matter”, she said.

The CE added that it is hard for her to pinpoint whether a certain behaviour constitutes a breach of the law, saying it is the intention of the individual that counts.