Hong Kong intensifies crackdown on pro-democracy activists living abroad

In an ongoing crackdown on dissent under a national security law imposed by China, Hong Kong police on Thursday added five more activists living abroad to a list of people they wanted to see arrested. They are also offering rewards for information that leads to their arrest. This action extends the list of eight international activists who were declared fugitives by the government in July. The five, who are currently situated in several nations, including the United States and Britain, are Simon Cheng, Frances Hui, Joey Siu, Johnny Fok, and Tony Choi. According to Steve Li, an officer in the national security department of the Hong Kong police, “all of them who have already fled overseas have continued to commit offences under the national security law that seriously endangered national security.” Li made this statement to reporters. The five were accused of various offences under the law, including incitement to secession and subversion, as well as collusion with foreign countries or external forces. Police issued wanted notices and rewards of HK$1 million ($128,000) for each of the five. Beijing imposed the national security law on Hong Kong in 2020 after months of anti-government protests. The law punishes acts including subversion, secession, collusion with foreign forces, and terrorism with up to life in prison. FINANCIAL HELP CHARGES One activist, however, shrugged off the moves. “If the government deems the quest for democracy and freedom a crime, we embrace the charges to reveal the genuine face of social justice, unyielding to authority,” Simon Cheng, who is now based in Britain, said on social media platform X. The police said they also arrested two men and two women aged between 29 and 68 for allegedly providing financial assistance for activities endangering national security to two wanted activists, Nathan Law and Ted Hui. These were the first such arrests on financial assistance grounds under the security legislation, which carries a maximum jail term of 10 years. “We paid particular attention to the essence of the wanted persons, and tried to break their chain of financing by all means,” Li said. Li said the four had donated amounts of between HK$10,000-12,000 via an online crowdfunding platform to promote secession. They are being detained for further investigation. Another prominent activist, Agnes Chow, fled Hong Kong and jumped bail this month after what she called sustained pressure from authorities that had damaged her mental and physical health. Chow said she was forced to travel to the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen where she was taken under police guard to a patriotic exhibition on China’s achievements, before authorities allowed her to travel to Canada for studies. Li did not confirm, or deny, any of Chow’s claims, including the forced China trip, but said police bail conditions could change according to different individuals and circumstances. “If she has a chance to listen to this press conference, I hope she can seize the opportunity to return to Hong Kong, so that she won’t become a fugitive,” Li warned. (with inputs from Reuters)