Hong Kong begins first polls after shake-up of electoral system
The formation of the election committee on Sunday is the first poll to be held under the patriots' rule imposed by Beijing.
The formation of the election committee on Sunday is the first poll to be held under the patriots' rule imposed by Beijing.
Hong Kong has adopted the strictest social distancing measures and restrictions on inbound visitors to cope with a resurgence of Covid-19 cases since the beginning of July.
Lam, a pro-Beijing appointee, was one of a number of Chinese and Hong Kong officials sanctioned by the United States after Beijing imposed a sweeping security law on the semi-autonomous city in late June.
As relations between Washington and Beijing remain tense, the US has moved to end preferential treatment for Hong Kong over what it sees as an erosion of its autonomy and freedoms.
The arrests of the suspects, aged 16 to 21, on Wednesday marked the first such crackdown on anti-government activists not at the scene of street protests since the legislation came into effect on June 30
It comes during a London review of its entire range of relations with Beijing that includes a reassessment of the role China's Huawei is playing in the buildup of Britain's 5G data network.
Officials insisted there had been wide consultation with members of Hong Kong society and hit back at criticism it was undermining Hong Kong's autonomy.
China will have jurisdiction over "serious" cases and its security agencies will also be able to operate publicly in the city for the first time, unbound by local laws as they carry out their duties.
The force cited public health risks related to the coronavirus pandemic and violence at earlier rallies organised by the Front.
The law is expected to come into effect on July 1, the 23rd anniversary of the city's handover to China from British rule