Security tight as Hong Kong set to debate China anthem bill

A check point was set up on a bridge near the legislative council as police conducted stop-and-search operations along the street and outside MTR station in Admiralty.

The proposed new national security laws have triggered the first big street unrest in Hong Kong since last year, when violent protests posed Hong Kong's biggest crisis since the return of Chinese rule in 1997 from Britain.

"I'm scared, if they're going to go through with it there's nothing you can do but if you know that's the way it ends then you should voice out your opinion, we've said it before, if you don't come out today, you'll never be able to come out. This is a legislation that directly affects us," Ryan Tsang, a worker in hotel management, said.

The anthem bill is set for a second reading on Wednesday and is expected to be turned into law next month. It requires China's "March of the Volunteers" to be taught in schools and sung by organisations, and imposes jail terms or fines on those who disrespect it.