China's State Council on Thursday appointed Chan Kwok-ki as secretary-general of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). 

In accordance with stipulations of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR, Chan was appointed upon nomination by HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam. 

Under the supervision of and accountable to the central government, the committee will be responsible for safeguarding national security in the city. 

Chaired by the chief executive, the committee will also have a national security adviser designated by the central government. 

Chan, born in 1959, served as director of immigration from 2011 to 2016. He has been the director of the Chief Executive's Office since July 2017. 

Hong Kong police made their first group of arrests on July 1, apprehending 10 people on suspicion of violating the national security law hours after it took effect.

Among the 10, a man was arrested for holding a "Hong Kong independence" flag in Causeway Bay in the HKSAR on Wednesday.

The State Council also announced that Au Ka-wang was appointed as director of the Immigration Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government. 

The decision was made in accordance with the HKSAR Basic Law of the People's Republic of China and based on the nomination by HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam. 

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Law on safeguarding national security in Hong Kong takes effect