The attacks came ahead of talks on renewal of a landmark 2018 deal that helped thaw diplomatic relations.

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo has appealed to Christians and all people of faith “to pray for Hong Kong” following the imposition by China of a new national security law.

"If right and proper words were considered against their law, I will endure all the suing, trials and arrests. Numerous predecessors have endured similarly," the 88-year-old cardinal said.

Bishop Peter Lin Jiashan was officially installed as head of the Fuzhou Diocese in Fujian province. Since 1997, Bishop Lin had refused to register with the government, and thus had not been recognized by Chinese authorities.

Despite the pandemic and the mainland Chinese government's disapproval, Catholics in Hong Kong will commemorate the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre with special Masses.

Bishop Declan Lang of Clifton, England, is urging the British government to protest the Chinese government's violations of the 1997 Sino-British Joint Declaration meant to protect democratic freedoms in Hong Kong.