Hong Kong police, security chief issue ‘fake news’ warnings over media coverage of national security events
- Row erupts over images showing children playing at police college open day with toy guns on mocked-up train, in scene said to resemble controversial 2019 protest incident
- Police chief slams some coverage of National Security Education Day, says arrests will be made where evidence shows breach of Beijing-decreed legislation
Hong Kong’s security chiefs on Friday ramped up warnings against the spread of “pro-independence propaganda” and “fake news” in response to media coverage of events marking National Security Education Day, and said police would make arrests where there was evidence the law had been broken.
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Hong Kong schools mark first National Security Education Day under security law imposed by Beijing
In a picture widely shared on social media, a schoolgirl was seen pointing a blue toy gun at the head of another child, as they played in a mocked-up train carriage on Thursday at the police force’s tactical training facility in Wong Chuk Hang.
Some media, including the tabloid-style Apple Daily newspaper, quoted internet users comparing the activity to a police clearance operation inside Prince Edward MTR station on August 31, 2019.
News footage at the time showed officers using batons and pepper spray on protesters inside the station, which led to accusations they had used excessive force.
