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

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/university-protesters-in-hong-kong-must-surrender-to-resolve-stand-off-peacefully-carrie-lam-263037">Hong Kong</a> appointed their new police chief, Chris Tang, today. He took office with&nbsp;a warning that "fake news" was undermining the reputation of his police force.

Tang replaced Commissioner Stephen Lo in the face of major anti-government protests in the city, which have now escalated into a scuffle at a university. The protests have been ongoing for the last five months&nbsp;against the government of Hong Kong and the influence of China on the city.

"First of all, regarding our relationship with the community, I understand that there is a certain segment of the community (that) have different views of about police enforcement. But you have to understand that as a law enforcement agency, we have to enforce the law. And we have to maintain the law and order in Hong Kong'', Tang said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-court-overreached-only-we-can-rule-on-constitution-china-263023">Even though the size of demonstrations</a> has dwindled in recent weeks, clashes have become violent and angry after a protestor was shot by the police. Another man, who was set alight is contributing to the agitation of the people. The city of Hong Kong continues to be on lockdown with tear gas serenading otherwise calm streets.

Watch: Hong Kong continues to be on the boil

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-continues-to-be-on-the-boil-universities-turned-into-the-fortress-262819/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

''We also realise that there is a lot of fake news, which may undermine the credibility of the police force, which is obviously not true. So what we are trying to do is first of all, for any false accusation, we have to rebut those false accusations, and we have to let the community know that the purpose of our action is only to maintain law and order, so that we (can) dispel any misunderstandings", Tang added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-court-overreached-only-we-can-rule-on-constitution-china-263023">Hong Kong</a>'s chief executive said Tuesday that protesters occupying a city-centre university had to surrender if the three-day stand-off was to be resolved peacefully.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-will-not-sit-back-if-hong-kong-demonstrations-get-uncontrollable-envoy-263010">China insisted Tuesday</a>&nbsp;it held the sole authority to rule on constitutional matters in Hong Kong, as it condemned a decision by the city's high court to overturn a ban on face masks worn by pro-democracy protesters.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Hong Kong appointed their new police chief, Chris Tang, today. He took office with a warning that "fake news" was undermining the reputation of his police force.

Hong Kong appointed their new police chief, Chris Tang, today. He took office with a warning that "fake news" was undermining the reputation of his police force. Tang replaced Commissioner Stephen Lo in the face of major anti-government protests in the city, which have now escalated into a scuffle at a university. The protests have been ongoing for the last five months against the government of Hong Kong and the influence of China on the city. "First of all, regarding our relationship with the community, I understand that there is a certain segment of the community (that) have different views of about police enforcement. But you have to understand that as a law enforcement agency, we have to enforce the law. And we have to maintain the law and order in Hong Kong'', Tang said. Even though the size of demonstrations has dwindled in recent weeks, clashes have become violent and angry after a protestor was shot by the police. Another man, who was set alight is contributing to the agitation of the people. The city of Hong Kong continues to be on lockdown with tear gas serenading otherwise calm streets. Watch: Hong Kong continues to be on the boil ''We also realise that there is a lot of fake news, which may undermine the credibility of the police force, which is obviously not true. So what we are trying to do is first of all, for any false accusation, we have to rebut those false accusations, and we have to let the community know that the purpose of our action is only to maintain law and order, so that we (can) dispel any misunderstandings", Tang added. Hong Kong's chief executive said Tuesday that protesters occupying a city-centre university had to surrender if the three-day stand-off was to be resolved peacefully. China insisted Tuesday it held the sole authority to rule on constitutional matters in Hong Kong, as it condemned a decision by the city's high court to overturn a ban on face masks worn by pro-democracy protesters. (With inputs from Reuters)

Hong Kong appoints new police chief Chris Tang, says fake news undermining reputation

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China reshuffles Hong Kong top officials

Hong Kong appoints new police chief Chris Tang, says fake news undermining reputation