A group of top pro-Beijing politicians have donated HK$10 million to the Police Welfare Fund, as the force made more arrests relating to the anti-extradition protests.

The Friends of Hong Kong Association, formed of National People’s Congress delegates and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference national committee members, made the donation at a pro-police rally outside the police headquarters on Thursday.

One of the group – David Lan, a former secretary for home affairs – said that civil servants themselves cannot receive benefits, but donations can be received by police groups for education and welfare.

Photo: Apple Daily.

Lan said the Hong Kong police force was the least corrupt force in the world after the 1997 Handover, and Hong Kong maintained one of the lowest crime rates.

He rejected claims of police violence during protests. “People are only seeing part of the story,” he said.

The Association’s petition letter was received by the police’s senior force welfare officer.

The police said in response that it will review the donation strictly in accordance with the existing procedures to confirm that it was in line with government and police rules.

It added that the use of the funds will be examined by the government’s director of audit, who reports to the Legislative Council.

Photo: InMediahk.net.

Also on Friday, pro-Beijing activist Leticia Lee led her Justice Alliance group to police headquarters to donate 10,000 VLT fruit juice boxes to the force, according to RTHK.

Two arrests

Meanwhile, police said they had made two arrests on Thursday morning arising from two recent demonstrations where protesters surrounded police headquarters.

An 18-year-old bartender was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. He was accused of spray painting the police headquarters’ wall on June 21.

A 25-year-old construction worker was also arrested for allegedly attacking a police officer outside the police headquarters on June 26 as he was going to work.

Photo: InMediahk.net

When asked how the police had identified the suspects as many protesters wore masks, Lo Ka-chun, police chief inspector of the Narcotics Bureau, said he would not disclose investigation details as the cases had entered the judicial process.

“We will not tolerate unlawful acts,” he said.

Lo said the police would fully investigate the incidents and more arrests may follow.