(Hong Kong) Hong Kong’s leader on Tuesday called for the surrender of eight pro-democracy activists accused of violating national security law after police promised rewards the day before in exchange for information leading to their arrest.
“The only way to end their destiny as fugitives, who will be hunted all their lives, is to surrender,” John Lee told reporters, adding that otherwise they would live “in fear.”
The eight activists fled after Beijing introduced a national security law in Hong Kong in 2020 to crack down on dissent after pro-democracy protests in 2019, which were sometimes violently suppressed.
Mr. Lee also called on people to help the police, adding that even “relatives and friends” of activists could provide information.
This measure has been denounced by the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, countries where some of the wanted activists reside.
“I’m not afraid of the political pressures that come down on us, because we’re doing what we think is right,” Lee said Tuesday.
China also lambasted on Tuesday the “protection” offered by the United Kingdom to eight Hong Kong pro-democracy activists in exile.
“British politicians have openly offered their protection to fugitives”, condemned in a press release a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in the United Kingdom, deploring “interference” by London in Chinese internal affairs.
The group includes former pro-democracy lawmakers Nathan Law Kwun-chung, Ted Hui Chi-fung and Dennis Kwok Wing-hang.
Also included are a former trade unionist, Mung Siu-tat, and activists Elmer Yuen Gong-yi, Finn Lau Cho-dik, Anna Kwok Fung-yee and Kevin Yam Kin-fung.