About 1,000 people gathered outside a Hong Kong court ahead of the hearing for 47 democracy activists charged with conspiracy to commit subversion, as authorities intensify a crackdown under the city's national security law. A group of foreign diplomats also gathered to show their support for the activists who are accused of seeking to overthrow the government. Jonathan Williams, the British consulate general in Hong Kong, said he was there because the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities promised that the national security law would be used in a very narrow sense. 'It's clear that that is no longer the case and that's deeply concerning to us,' he said.

Hong Kong court swamped by protests as 47 pro-democracy figures due to appear ► https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/01/hong-kong-court-protests-democracy-activists-national-security-law

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