Hong Kong leader announces ban on protester face masks

Hong Kong's leader announced a ban Friday on protesters wearing face masks, invoking colonial-era emergency powers, in a bid to quell months of violent anti-government unrest.

Chief executive Carrie Lam said she had made the order under the Emergency Regulations Ordinances, a sweeping law that grants her the ability to make any law during a time of emergency or public danger.

It is the first time the law has been invoked in 52 years.

"We believe that the new law will create a deterrent effect against masked violent protesters and rioters, and will assist the police in its law enforcement," Lam said.

But she stressed her use of the powers did not mean the government had officially declared a state of emergency.

"Although the ordinance carries the title emergency, Hong Kong is not in a state of emergency," she said.

Before the announcement, thousands of masked protesters -- many of them office workers -- marched through the city's commercial district on Friday, promising to defy the new law.

"Youngsters are risking their lives, they don't mind being jailed for 10 years, so wearing masks is not a problem," a 34-year-old office worker wearing a surgical mask, who gave her first name as Mary, told AFP at a protest on Friday afternoon.

Government critics also warned the move was a major step towards authoritarianism for Hong Kong, which has been governed by China under a "one country, two systems" framework since British colonial rule ended in 1997.

"This is a watershed. This is a Rubicon," pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo told AFP.

"And I'm worried this could be just a starter. More draconian bans in the name of law could be lurking around the corner."