Hong Kong police arrest 300 as thousands protest over security laws

Hong Kong riot police fired pepper pellets to disperse protesters in the heart of the global financial centre on Wednesday, as national security legislation proposed by Beijing revived anti-government demonstrations.

As tensions soared, riot police were deployed around Hong Kong's Legislative Council, deterring protesters who had planned to gather there as a bill was due to be debated that would criminalise disrespect of the Chinese national anthem.