(Hong Kong) Hong Kong police angered London and Washington on Thursday by offering rewards for information leading to the capture of five activists living abroad, accusing them of crimes against national security.
“These people, who have already fled abroad, have continued to commit violations of the national security law that seriously endanger national security,” said Steve Li Kwai-wah, the senior official at the Department of Defense. National Security of the former British colony.
He added that they “have betrayed their country, betrayed Hong Kong, neglected the interests of Hong Kong residents, and continue to endanger national security even while abroad,” and that the Security Department Hong Kong National Police will “pursue them to the end”.
“For those who wish to financially support these people, I invite them to think twice, in order to avoid getting into trouble.”
The five wanted pro-democracy activists are accused of inciting secession, inciting subversion and collusion with foreign forces, according to the same source.
Among the group’s members was Simon Cheng, a prominent pro-democracy activist currently in the United Kingdom who founded the group “Hongkongers in Britain.”
The other four people named are Frances Hui, Joey Siu, Fok Ka-chi and Choi Ming-da.
The rewards offered amount to one million Hong Kong dollars (approximately $171,800).
“We will not tolerate any attempt by a foreign power to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities in the United Kingdom,” responded the head of British diplomacy David Cameron in a statement.
“This is a threat to our democracy and our fundamental human rights,” he added, specifying that he had ordered that the issue be raised “urgently with the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities”.
Washington condemned “a blatant disregard” for international norms, with State Department spokesperson Matthew Millier emphasizing that “Hong Kong authorities have no jurisdiction within the borders of the United States.”
“Lifetime honor”
In response to the rewards offered for his arrest, Mr. Cheng wrote on X that it was a “lifetime honor” to be pursued by Chinese authorities.
“If the government considers the pursuit of democracy and freedom a crime, we accept the accusations to reveal the true face of social justice,” he added.
The five pro-democracy activists have been living abroad since Beijing imposed a national security law on Hong Kong in 2020 cracking down on dissidents following massive pro-democracy protests in 2019.
The law brought down the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s legal shield against mainland China, allowing accused people to be held accountable around the world.
But Hong Kong authorities have not clarified how enforcement of the law abroad is possible.
In July 2023, the police issued wanted notices for eight activists also residing abroad, including pro-democracy MPs Nathan Law and Ted Hui.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who was sanctioned by the United States for his role during the 2019 pro-democracy protests, said these activists would be “pursued for life” and called them to surrender.