China appoints hard-line security chief in Hong Kong

Friday, 3 July 2020 13:28

By Nadia Swan

Zheng Yanxiong is known for dealing with a land dispute in southern China in 2011.

His new agency's remit will be to enforce a strict security law passed this week in Hong Kong.

Critics of the law say it erodes the territory's freedoms.

Crimes of secession, subversion and terrorism will be handed punishments of up to life in prison.

Separately, one of 10 people arrested under the new law during protests on Wednesday has become the first to be charged under it.

Hundreds were detained during the clashes.

More from International news

Reopening of Gaza's Rafah crossing expected Monday

Gaza's main border crossing in Rafah will reopen for Palestinians on Monday, Israel said, with preparations underway at the war-ravaged enclave's main gateway that has been largely shut for almost two years.
Winter storm death toll in United States reaches 90

Nearly 90 people have died in bitter cold affecting areas of the United States from Texas to New Jersey, according to media reports citing local authorities.
Pakistan says 145 militants killed after attacks in Balochistan

Pakistan's security forces killed 145 militants over 40 hours after coordinated attacks across Balochistan, the chief minister of the southwestern province said on Sunday, as the authorities battle one of the deadliest flare-ups in years.
Israeli strikes kill 26 in Gaza, health officials say

Israel carried out its heaviest airstrikes in Gaza in weeks on Saturday, killing 26 people according to local health authorities, in attacks on a Hamas-run police station and on apartments and tents in an area sheltering displaced Palestinians.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan approves Umm Suqeim Beach master plan
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai has approved a AED500 million development plan to transform Umm Suqeim Beach into a major new public waterfront destination.
UAE FM condemns Israel’s repeated violations of ceasefire in Gaza
The UAE's Foreign Minister joined with the Foreign Ministers of Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, on Sunday, to strongly condemn Israel’s repeated violations of the ceasefire in Gaza which have resulted in the killing, and injuring of more than a thousand Palestinians.
UAE, World Food Programme sign deal to support Sudan aid efforts
The United Arab Emirates has signed a cooperation agreement between the UAE Aid Agency and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to support humanitarian response efforts in Sudan.