Hong&nbsp;Kong's new police chief called for a fake news law on Saturday and blamed the media for plunging trust in his officers in the politically polarised finance hub.

His call comes as authorities carry out a sweeping crackdown on dissent and just days after outspoken newspaper Apple Daily was forced to fold following the freezing of its accounts under a tough new national security law.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kongs-pro-democracy-apple-daily-signs-off-in-painful-farewell-393526">Hong Kong's pro-democracy Apple Daily signs off in painful farewell</a>

Surveys show the police have been the least popular disciplinary service in the city since Hong Kong was rocked by huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests in 2019, during which allegations of police brutality emerged.

Police chief Raymond Siu said much of the blame lay with the media.

"I understand that there are residents who are still hostile against us. In this regard, I told my colleagues that many of these torn relationships and hostility against the police are due to fake news," Siu said at his first media briefing since taking office.

"There is no legal definition of fake news at the moment, but if there is any legislation that could help us bring these people to justice, as law enforcers, we absolutely welcome it," he added.

Hong Kong's demonstrations subsided last year due to mass arrests, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus pandemic</a> and Beijing's imposition of the security law, which critics argue has been used to curb dissent.

Three former police officers were on Friday promoted to key positions in government, with former security minister John Lee becoming the city's new number two official and an ex-police chief stepping into Lee's security bureau role.

Last Thursday 500 police officers raided the newsroom of pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily as authorities froze the company's assets under the security law.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-police-raid-pro-democracy-newspaper-apple-daily-arrest-editor-and-four-other-executives-392042">Hong Kong police raid pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, arrest editor and four other executives</a>

Five executives of the paper were arrested and two were charged with conspiracy to collude with foreign forces.&nbsp;

Apple Daily's lead editorial writer was also arrested on Wednesday and the paper was forced to fold, saying it feared for the safety of staff.

Siu however said police were targeting national security offenders and not the news media.

Hong Kong's new police chief called for a fake news law on Saturday and blamed the media for plunging trust in his officers in the politically polarised finance hub.

Hong Kong's new police chief called for a fake news law on Saturday and blamed the media for plunging trust in his officers in the politically polarised finance hub. His call comes as authorities carry out a sweeping crackdown on dissent and just days after outspoken newspaper Apple Daily was forced to fold following the freezing of its accounts under a tough new national security law. Also read | Hong Kong's pro-democracy Apple Daily signs off in painful farewell Surveys show the police have been the least popular disciplinary service in the city since Hong Kong was rocked by huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests in 2019, during which allegations of police brutality emerged. Police chief Raymond Siu said much of the blame lay with the media. "I understand that there are residents who are still hostile against us. In this regard, I told my colleagues that many of these torn relationships and hostility against the police are due to fake news," Siu said at his first media briefing since taking office. "There is no legal definition of fake news at the moment, but if there is any legislation that could help us bring these people to justice, as law enforcers, we absolutely welcome it," he added. Hong Kong's demonstrations subsided last year due to mass arrests, the coronavirus pandemic and Beijing's imposition of the security law, which critics argue has been used to curb dissent. Three former police officers were on Friday promoted to key positions in government, with former security minister John Lee becoming the city's new number two official and an ex-police chief stepping into Lee's security bureau role. Last Thursday 500 police officers raided the newsroom of pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily as authorities froze the company's assets under the security law. Also read | Hong Kong police raid pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, arrest editor and four other executives Five executives of the paper were arrested and two were charged with conspiracy to collude with foreign forces. Apple Daily's lead editorial writer was also arrested on Wednesday and the paper was forced to fold, saying it feared for the safety of staff. Siu however said police were targeting national security offenders and not the news media.

Hong Kong police chief calls for fake news law

China on Friday approved the promotion of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's security secretary John Lee to the chief secretary, while police chief Chris Tang will take Lee's position in what critics say will further tighten Beijing's security squeeze on the global financial hub.

The elevation of Lee, 63, a former police deputy commissioner, to the chief secretary, is the first time a security specialist has taken on the number two position in the territory since&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's handover from British to Chinese rule in 1997.

Other former chief secretaries have had extensive economic and social policy-making expertise.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/first-person-charged-under-hong-kongs-national-security-law-pleads-not-guilty-393271">First person charged under Hong Kong's national security law pleads not guilty</a>

"They have had distinguished performance in the government over the years and possess proven leadership skills," Chief Executive Carrie Lam,&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's leader, said in a statement. "I am confident that they are competent for their new posts and would rise to the challenges in serving the community."

Beijing's imposition of sweeping national security law in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;in June 2020 has put China's freest city on an authoritarian trajectory, with mass arrests of democratic campaigners, curbs on public assemblies and free speech.

The reshuffle could further empower security officials, critics say, who have faithfully implemented Beijing's new security regimen to strengthen control and clamp down on freedoms in the former British colony after mass pro-democracy protests in 2019.

"The promotion of John Lee and Chris Tang completes the swift and total transformation of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;into a police state," said Samuel Chu of the&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;Democracy Council.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-leader-lam-says-action-against-apple-daily-does-not-target-press-freedom-393069">Hong Kong leader Lam says action against Apple Daily does not target press freedom</a>

Lam and Lee are expected to travel to Beijing for the Chinese Communist Party's centenary celebrations next week, local media reported.

Lee and Tang, 55, were among 11&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;and Chinese officials sanctioned by the US&nbsp;government last August for undermining&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong’s autonomy and democratic processes after the enactment of the national security law.

That clampdown has seen mass arrests of democratic activists and politicians, and a freeze on the assets of the pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper on national security grounds that led to its abrupt closure this week.

Chinese and&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;officials say the national security law has restored stability and order to&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong, maintaining that rights and freedoms aren't absolute.

One source who has worked with Lee said he is resolute, earnest and efficient but, as a career police officer, "doesn't have a natural feel for the politics of a highly-polarised&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong."

China on Friday approved the promotion of Hong Kong's security secretary John Lee to the chief secretary, while police chief Chris Tang will take Lee's position in what critics say will further tighten Beijing's security squeeze on the global financial hub.

China on Friday approved the promotion of Hong Kong's security secretary John Lee to the chief secretary, while police chief Chris Tang will take Lee's position in what critics say will further tighten Beijing's security squeeze on the global financial hub. The elevation of Lee, 63, a former police deputy commissioner, to the chief secretary, is the first time a security specialist has taken on the number two position in the territory since Hong Kong's handover from British to Chinese rule in 1997. Other former chief secretaries have had extensive economic and social policy-making expertise. Also read | First person charged under Hong Kong's national security law pleads not guilty "They have had distinguished performance in the government over the years and possess proven leadership skills," Chief Executive Carrie Lam, Hong Kong's leader, said in a statement. "I am confident that they are competent for their new posts and would rise to the challenges in serving the community." Beijing's imposition of sweeping national security law in Hong Kong in June 2020 has put China's freest city on an authoritarian trajectory, with mass arrests of democratic campaigners, curbs on public assemblies and free speech. The reshuffle could further empower security officials, critics say, who have faithfully implemented Beijing's new security regimen to strengthen control and clamp down on freedoms in the former British colony after mass pro-democracy protests in 2019. "The promotion of John Lee and Chris Tang completes the swift and total transformation of Hong Kong into a police state," said Samuel Chu of the Hong Kong Democracy Council. Also read | Hong Kong leader Lam says action against Apple Daily does not target press freedom Lam and Lee are expected to travel to Beijing for the Chinese Communist Party's centenary celebrations next week, local media reported. Lee and Tang, 55, were among 11 Hong Kong and Chinese officials sanctioned by the US government last August for undermining Hong Kong’s autonomy and democratic processes after the enactment of the national security law. That clampdown has seen mass arrests of democratic activists and politicians, and a freeze on the assets of the pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper on national security grounds that led to its abrupt closure this week. Chinese and Hong Kong officials say the national security law has restored stability and order to Hong Kong, maintaining that rights and freedoms aren't absolute. One source who has worked with Lee said he is resolute, earnest and efficient but, as a career police officer, "doesn't have a natural feel for the politics of a highly-polarised Hong Kong."

China reshuffles Hong Kong top officials

Two Hong Kong-based Marxists, who first fought imperialist Britain and then China's authoritarian rule and described marriage as an unnecessary institution, have finally tied the knot after being together for 45 years.

Chan Po-ying and Leung Kwok-hung, both 63-year-olds, are two of the most prominent leaders of Hong Kong's left.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="wionews.com/world/hong-kong-court-rules-that-journalist-improperly-accessed-public-records-379244">Hong Kong court rules that journalist improperly accessed public records</a>

They decided to marry after Beijing increased its crackdown against Hong Kong's dissidents and came for Leung.&nbsp;

Leung, who has served various short sentences of prison for his activism, last week was part of 18 others who have been sentenced to 18 months for holding an "unlawful protest".

Also read | <a href="http://wionews.com/world/canadas-immigration-programme-for-hong-kongers-received-500-applications-in-3-weeks-378101">Canada's immigration programme for Hong Kongers received 500 applications in 3 weeks</a>

However, the national security law which was approved by China last and has the provision of a life sentence, the couple decided to marry.&nbsp;

"We never thought we needed to get married until long-term imprisonment came right in our faces," Chan, was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.&nbsp;

"It was the national security law that propelled us to make up our mind."&nbsp;

They said that marriage would allow them to visit courts and prison more frequently in case of a longer sentence.&nbsp;

The couple could only spend 40 days as newlyweds when Leung was arrested.&nbsp;

Two Hong Kong-based Marxists, who first fought imperialist Britain and then China's authoritarian rule and described marriage as an unnecessary institution, have finally tied the knot after being together for 45 years.

Two Hong Kong-based Marxists, who first fought imperialist Britain and then China's authoritarian rule and described marriage as an unnecessary institution, have finally tied the knot after being together for 45 years. Chan Po-ying and Leung Kwok-hung, both 63-year-olds, are two of the most prominent leaders of Hong Kong's left. Also read | Hong Kong court rules that journalist improperly accessed public records They decided to marry after Beijing increased its crackdown against Hong Kong's dissidents and came for Leung. Leung, who has served various short sentences of prison for his activism, last week was part of 18 others who have been sentenced to 18 months for holding an "unlawful protest". Also read | Canada's immigration programme for Hong Kongers received 500 applications in 3 weeks However, the national security law which was approved by China last and has the provision of a life sentence, the couple decided to marry. "We never thought we needed to get married until long-term imprisonment came right in our faces," Chan, was quoted as saying by news agency AFP. "It was the national security law that propelled us to make up our mind." They said that marriage would allow them to visit courts and prison more frequently in case of a longer sentence. The couple could only spend 40 days as newlyweds when Leung was arrested.

Hong Kong: Security law forces activist couple in their 60s to get married

China has announced the suspension of Hong Kong's extradition treaties with Canada, Australia and Britain, a tit-for-tat move following similar decisions by those countries

China suspends Hong Kong extradition treaties with Canada, Australia, UK