<p class="bodytext">Chinese authorities have arrested at least 10 people after intercepting a boat off the coast of the southern province of Guangdong, the provincial Coast Guard Bureau said in a post on its social media site.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Hong Kong media, citing unidentified sources, said 12 people from the former British colony were arrested while sailing to Taiwan where they planned to apply for political asylum.</p>.<p class="bodytext">It was not clear what law they would be charged with violating but, if confirmed, it would be a rare instance of Chinese authorities arresting people from Hong Kong trying to leave the city.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Guangdong Coast Guard said on its social media platform late on Wednesday the people on the boat were arrested on Aug. 23.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Two of the detained were surnamed Li and Tang, it said. It did not provide further details and could not be reached for comment.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Hong Kong media identified one of those on the vessel as Andy Li, who media said was recently arrested under a sweeping national security law imposed by Beijing on its freest city on June 30.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The security legislation, opposed by many in Hong Kong, punishes what Beijing broadly defines as subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Hong Kong government, police and security bureau did not immediately respond to a request for comment.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Taiwan has proved a popular destination for Hong Kong people aiming to leave their city as Beijing tightens its grip, with the self-ruled island's President Tsai Ing-wen pledging to help those who arrive.</p>
<p class="bodytext">Chinese authorities have arrested at least 10 people after intercepting a boat off the coast of the southern province of Guangdong, the provincial Coast Guard Bureau said in a post on its social media site.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Hong Kong media, citing unidentified sources, said 12 people from the former British colony were arrested while sailing to Taiwan where they planned to apply for political asylum.</p>.<p class="bodytext">It was not clear what law they would be charged with violating but, if confirmed, it would be a rare instance of Chinese authorities arresting people from Hong Kong trying to leave the city.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Guangdong Coast Guard said on its social media platform late on Wednesday the people on the boat were arrested on Aug. 23.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Two of the detained were surnamed Li and Tang, it said. It did not provide further details and could not be reached for comment.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Hong Kong media identified one of those on the vessel as Andy Li, who media said was recently arrested under a sweeping national security law imposed by Beijing on its freest city on June 30.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The security legislation, opposed by many in Hong Kong, punishes what Beijing broadly defines as subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Hong Kong government, police and security bureau did not immediately respond to a request for comment.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Taiwan has proved a popular destination for Hong Kong people aiming to leave their city as Beijing tightens its grip, with the self-ruled island's President Tsai Ing-wen pledging to help those who arrive.</p>