Beijing takes off the gloves: China to 'fully instruct' Hong Kong police on the crackdown on pro-democracy protests as state media says 'all traitors should be sent to the UK'

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China has said that it will 'fully instruct' Hong Kong police on the crackdown on anti-government demonstrations, sparking fears for even more violent clampdowns on the city's pro-democracy protesters.

The Chinese Ministry of Public Security said it would 'earnestly carry out' a newly passed national security law, which allows China to quell activities it deems as 'subversive, treason and foreign interference' in the semi-autonomous city.

Human rights campaigners have called the Ministry's announcement 'truly alarming' and said many people in Hong Kong 'are now terrified of what might happen'.

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Zhao Kezhi, the head of Chinese Ministry of Public Security, said his team would 'fully instruct and support' Hong Kong police after Beijing yesterday approved a controversial security law for the financial hub amid international outrage. Pictured, Hong Kong riot police fire tear gas as hundreds of protesters protest against the new security legislation in Hong Kong on May 24
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Human rights campaigners have called the Ministry's announcement 'truly alarming' and said many people in Hong Kong 'are now terrified of what might happen'. Pictured, riot police detain a protester during a demonstration against Beijing's new law in Hong Kong on May 24

Meanwhile, Beijing's state media criticised Britain after it extended the visa rights for Hong Kong people amid mounting international concerns over the end of freedoms in the former British colony.

Beijing's Global Times mocked London's decision by saying it had won 'overwhelming support' in China. It praised users of China's state-controlled social media after they suggested 'all traitors should be sent to the UK'.

China's army chief in Hong Kong this week issued chilling warning to protesters. He said his soldiers were ready to 'smash' any anti-government demonstrations.

Beijing's new law, set to be enacted before September, is intended to tackle what the Communist Party views as 'secession, foreign interference and treason' in Hong Kong.

But critics say the act would lead to the widespread use of secret police, arbitrary detentions, surveillance and even control over the internet on the island territory.

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Beijing's state media criticised Britain after it extended the visa rights of Hong Kong people amid mounting international concerns over the end of freedoms in the former British colony. Pictured, protesters take part in a pro-democracy demonstration in Hong Kong on May 24
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Zhao Kezhi (pictured in 2017), the head of China's Ministry of Public Security, ordered police forces in China to show their full support to Beijing's new security legislation for Hong Kong

China's rubber-stamp parliament passed the bill in Beijing yesterday despite facing intense criticism from Western countries, which have accused Beijing of breaking its promises and ripping freedoms away from Hong Kong people.

Zhao Kezhi, the head of China's Ministry of Public Security, said his team would 'fully instruct and support Hong Kong police to end violence and curb chaos'.

In a meeting yesterday, he ordered police forces in China to 'strictly guard and severely punish any subversive activities carried out by domestic and foreign forces'. 

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Chen Daoxiang, Beijing's army chief in Hong Kong, said he and his soldiers were ready to quash pro-democracy rallies. Pictured, members of the People's Liberation Army perform drills during a demonstration at the Shek Kong Barracks on June 30, 2018, in Hong Kong
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The national security law approved by Beijing has re-ignited anti-government rallies in the financial hub. Pictured, pro-democracy supporters take part in a rally on May 24 in Hong Kong
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China's rubber-stamp parliament approved the bill at a major political conference yesterday amid mounting global fears that Beijing could take full control of the city. Pictured, a Hong Kong riot police officer tackles a protester during an anti-government rally on May 24

Johnny Patterson, Director of UK-based human rights group Hong Kong Watch, said minister Zhao's order means 'anything is now possible' for Hong Kong.

He told MailOnline: 'This is truly alarming. The Chinese government are blowing a hole through the principle of one-country, two-systems. Many in Hong Kong are now terrified of what might happen.

Mr Patterson called for unified diplomatic action by international governments, describing it as 'desperately needed'.

He warned: 'Having decided to flout international law, the Communist Party may be readying themselves for more drastic action.'

Britain offered stronger rights to its passport holders in Hong Kong yesterday after the passage of the new legislation.

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Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and counterparts from the US, Australia and Canada warned the new law 'would curtail the Hong Kong people's liberties'. Britain offered stronger rights to its passport holders in Hong Kong yesterday, allowing them to travel here for up to 12 months
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British Nationals (Overseas) do not have the automatic right to live or work in the UK, but can currently travel here without a visa for up to six months.  Pictured, a protester holds a British National (Overseas) passport in a shopping mall during a protest in Hong Kong on Friday

More than 300,000 British National (Overseas) passport holders will be able to travel to Britain without a visa for up to 12 months.

They could then apply for UK citizenship - amid fears the new legislation will undermine human rights in the former British colony.

Britain joined a wave of condemnation after the National People's Congress approved the legislation.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and counterparts from the US, Australia and Canada warned the new law 'would curtail the Hong Kong people's liberties'.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the law meant Hong Kong was no longer autonomous from China and its special trading status should be revoked – a serious blow to its standing as a financial hub.

China warned the US to 'stop meddling'. Beijing says the law will defend its national security following pro-democracy demonstrations.

But critics claim it has effectively ended the 'one country, two systems' principle agreed in the 1997 handover treaty with Britain.

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Mass anti-government street protests have rocked Hong Kong since last June. Pictured, protesters displaying hand sign indicating their 'five demands' in Hong Kong on Sunday 
Hong Kong riot police chase and attack pro-democracy protestors

British National (Overseas) passports were granted to those permanent residents of Hong Kong who were classed as British Dependent Territories citizens before the 1997 handover to China.

They do not have the automatic right to live or work in the UK but can travel here without a visa for up to six months.

Mr Raab said that would be extended to 12 months unless China suspended the new security law.

In the joint letter with his international counterparts, he said Hong Kong had flourished as a 'bastion of freedom'.

The letter said: 'The proposed law would undermine the One Country, Two Systems framework.

'It also raises the prospect of prosecution in Hong Kong for political crimes, and undermines existing commitments to protect the rights of Hong Kong people.'

The Global Times, the mouthpiece of China's Communist Party, called Britain's new visa policy for Hong Kong a 'threat' to Beijing.

'The threat has won overwhelming support on Chinese media, with netizens urging the UK to receive all Hong Kong rioters,' the newspaper said in an opinion piece today. 

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Chinese leader Xi Jinping pushes a button on Thursday to vote on the new national security law for Hong Kong, which critics say will destroy the autonomy of the former British colony
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Chinese legislators have pushed through new laws to stamp out 'secession, subversion, terrorism and foreign interference' in Hong Kong. Pictured, pro-democracy supporters scuffle with riot police during an detention at a rally in Causeway Bay district on May 27
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The Hong Kong government will 'complete the legislation as soon as possible to discharge its responsibility of safeguarding national security', according to Carrie Lam, the chief executive of the financial hub. Hong Kong police officers and activists are pictured clashing on May 27

Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous city, has been rocked by sometimes violent anti-government protests since last June.

Demonstrators press for five demands, including choosing their own leaders and democratic reforms.

The unrest died down temporarily this year due to the coronavirus pandemic but has now been re-ignited by the new draconian law from China.

Police fired pepper pellets and made 360 arrests on Wednesday as thousands took to the streets in anger over the national security legislation and a separate bill that would criminalise disrespect of China's national anthem.