Hong Kong protests China's move to impose national security law despite U.S. warnings

美 경고에도 中, 오늘 보안법 통과 강행...홍콩 곳곳 반중 시위

The Chinese government is poised to green light a highly controversial national security bill in the coming hours.
Beijing's move comes despite intense opposition from Hong Kong residents as well as continued warnings from the U.S. government.
The bill will sharply reduce the freedoms enjoyed by people in Hong Kong.
Kim Hyo-sun reports.
Big crowds took to the streets of Hong Kong on Wednesday,... protesting against China's proposed national security law as well as Hong Kong's controversial national anthem bill, which bans insults to mainland China's national anthem.
The new bill sparked debate as it criminalizes insults to the national anthem with up to three years in prison.
This comes as Beijing's ceremonial parliament is moving to enact a national security law for Hong Kong,... that would allow Chinese security agencies to severely limit civil liberties in Hong Kong.
While over 3-thousand police officer have been mobilized throughout the island,... hundreds of people continue to cry for freedom.
"I'm worried about the National Anthem law. I know that it will eventually pass in the Legislative Council because pro-establishment lawmakers are the majority. I came to Hong Kong from mainland China when I was young, and that's why I know the darkness of China and I'm worried China will impose its values and system on Hong Kong."
China's move has prompted U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to report to the U.S. Congress that the Trump administration no longer regards Hong Kong as autonomous from mainland China.
Pompeo has repeatedly warned Beijing that the national security law will lead to the Trump administration halting some or all of its special trade and economic relations with Hong Kong that the island enjoyed since 1997.
Such measures are expected to have far-reaching consequences for global commerce and significantly transform how Chinese and foreign companies operate.
Kim Hyo-sun, Arirang News.