Hong Kong protesters defy police crackdown

China wants punishment for slighting anthem

• Protesters resisting China’s tightening grip over Hong Kong gathered Wednesday in defiance of thousands of riot police who locked down parts of the city and barricaded the legislature, where Beijing’s allies pushed a bill to criminalize disrespect of China’s national anthem.

The heavy police presence and arrests of more than 300 people, many of whom appeared to be simply shouting slogans, reflected a deepening level of dissent and authorities’ determination to stamp it out by force.

With Hong Kong’s role as a global financial centre increasingly clouded, Chinese President Xi Jinping is escalating a crackdown despite the threat of U. S. sanctions, advancing plans to end the strife- torn city’s autonomy and hasten its full integration into China.

Pre- emptive arrests of democracy activists, stopand- search inspections of passersby and the tight security presence helped authorities mostly stave off planned large-scale rallies Wednesday. Yet public fury continued to build over the anthem bill and, most notably, Beijing’s plans to impose a far-reaching national security law on the former British colony.

By afternoon, protests flared in the main business district as office workers and young protesters shouted “Free Hong Kong!” and slurs at riot police, who responded with pepper spray and pepper- ball projectiles, leaving demonstrators choking.

New slogans — “Hong Kong, build our nation!” and “Independence, the only way out!” — suggest Beijing’s repression is shifting attitudes toward Hong Kong independence, until recently considered a fringe viewpoint.

Protesters have been galvanized by fears that their freedom to demonstrate, voice critical opinions and exercise other rights guaranteed by Hong Kong’s constitution will soon be eliminated. China’s rubber- stamp legislature last week announced it would bypass Hong Kong’s political system and impose by decree the new security law, which would criminalize secessionist activities, “foreign interference” and subversion.

Protesters last year composed their own anthem for Hong Kong, which is now performed and played all over the city.