Hong Kong Police Announce Rewards for Arrest of Six Activists Residing Abroad

Hong Kong authorities, through their police force, have announced bounties totaling HK$1m (£103,000; $129,000) for details that result in the apprehension of six pro-democracy activists currently residing in the UK and Canada. Tony Chung, who previously led a pro-independence organization and sought refuge in the UK last year, is one of these individuals. This group, comprising individuals such as a former district councillor, an actor, and a YouTuber, has engaged in advocacy for increased democracy within the territory. Each member faces accusations of breaching the city’s national security legislation. David Lammy, the UK Foreign Secretary, expressed disapproval of this action, urging Hong Kong authorities to “end their targeting of individuals in the UK and elsewhere who stand up for freedom and democracy”. He further stated, “We will not tolerate any attempts by foreign governments to coerce, intimidate, harass or harm their critics overseas, especially in the UK,” and affirmed the UK government’s dedication to assisting Hong Kong residents who have moved to the UK. Additionally, former district councillor Carmen Lau and activist Chloe Cheung are included on the wanted list. Both reside in the UK and advocate for two non-governmental organizations promoting greater democracy in Hong Kong. Warrants for arrest were also issued for Chung Kim-wah, a political commentator and pollster who departed Hong Kong for the UK in 2022, alongside two individuals located in Canada: Joseph Tay, a former actor and co-founder of the NGO HongKonger Station, and Youtuber Victor Ho. Mr. Ho faces charges of subversion, whereas the remaining six individuals are accused of inciting secession and engaging in collusion with a foreign country or external forces. Hong Kong’s public broadcaster RTHK reported that the city’s senior police officials announced the arrest warrants on Tuesday. These officials alleged that some of the sought-after activists had repeatedly urged foreign nations to implement sanctions and other actions against China and Hong Kong. Mr. Chung was initially convicted in 2021 for advocating Hong Kong’s secession and was subsequently released in June of the previous year. On Tuesday, he posted on Instagram, stating it was “an honour to become the first Hongkonger to be charged twice under the National Security Law”. Mr. Chung indicated that the news did not surprise him, as he had violated a supervision order following his release from prison by escaping to the UK last year. He wrote, “I knew this day would come. From the moment I decided to leave Hong Kong, I was fully aware that I would not be able to return for a long time.” Mr. Chung confirmed to the BBC that his asylum application was still awaiting approval from the UK government. Ms. Lau stated on X that the warrant would not deter her advocacy efforts. She urged the governments of the UK, US, and EU to implement sanctions against “Hong Kong human rights perpetrators”. Furthermore, she requested that the British Labour government “seriously reconsider its strategies for tackling transnational repression targeting Hong Kongers” and consider obstructing plans for a new Chinese embassy in Tower Hill. Earlier this month, councillors in Tower Hamlets unanimously voted to reject these plans. Nevertheless, this decision is merely advisory and lacks binding authority; the final determination on granting permission rests with Deputy Prime Minister and Communities Secretary Angela Rayner. This marks the third instance of arrest warrants and bounties being issued since the implementation of the Beijing-imposed National Security Law. The initial two rounds, issued in July and December of the previous year, targeted former lawmaker Nathan Law — who informed the BBC last year that his life had become more perilous since the bounty’s announcement — and Simon Cheng, a former UK consulate employee who was detained in 2019 in a prominent case. Both individuals are currently based in the UK. On Tuesday, Mao Ning, spokeswoman for China’s foreign ministry, endorsed the action, stating that the Chinese government supported Hong Kong “performing its duties in accordance with the law”. She further asserted that Hong Kong constituted “a society governed by the rule of law and no-one has extrajudicial privileges”. Hong Kong’s contentious National Security Law was enacted in 2020, following the 2019 anti-government protests that affected the city for several months. Authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong contend that the law is essential for preserving stability and refute claims that it has diminished autonomy. However, critics assert that it has curtailed the city’s autonomy and criminalized a broader spectrum of dissenting actions.