Hong Kong police crack down on exiled activists, offering rewards for their capture
The Hong Kong police have recently announced new rewards for fugitive activists, including a U.S. citizen, who have criticized China's harsh treatment of the city's freedoms and autonomy. Five individuals, including Joey Siu, a U.S. citizen who fled to the United States seeking asylum, are accused of committing crimes that endanger China's national security.
Three other wanted activists – Honeywell, Tony Choi, and Simon Cheng – reside in the United Kingdom. The Hong Kong police handed out similar cash rewards to eight other exiled activists in July, who fiercely opposed China's strict measures against democracy and freedom in Hong Kong following the city's implementation of a broad national security law in 2020.
The charged individuals live in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, with their respective governments suspending their extradition agreements with Hong Kong over concerns about the law.
Activists advocated for Hong Kong's independence and called for international sanctions against China and Hong Kong authorities, claiming they had betrayed Hong Kong and disregarded the interests of its people, according to Li Rui, Chief Commissioner of the National Security Department of the Hong Kong police, at a press conference on Thursday.
Despite fleeing the country, the wanted individuals continued to engage in behavior that endangered national security, Li Rui argued. Nevertheless, activists have vowed to continue advocating for their cause.
"I will never remain silent, I will never give in," Xiao, a U.S. citizen, wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "My commitment to democracy and freedom remains unwavering and will never waver."
Cheng, living in the United Kingdom, referred to the accusations as an "honor" in a post on X.
The new bounty system has been met with condemnation by both Washington and London.
Ned Price, spokesperson of the U.S. State Department, harshly criticized the Hong Kong authorities' "unconscionable measures" and considered the step as "an egregious violation of international democratic and human rights norms."
"We deplore all attempts to apply China's controversial national security law extraterritorially and reaffirm that the authorities in Hong Kong have no jurisdiction within the United States and that supporters of democracy and freedom continue to enjoy the constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms," Price said.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron advised British officials to address the issue urgently with both Hong Kong and Chinese authorities.
"We will not tolerate any attempt by a foreign power to intimidate, harass, or harm British individuals or groups. This is a threat to our democracy and fundamental human rights," Cameron declared, calling for the abolition of China's national security law.
Hong Kong's national security law outlaws secession, subversion, terrorism, and secret collaboration with foreign military forces, punishable by life in prison. The law has also weakened the city's once-vibrant civil society.
The Hong Kong government has repeatedly dismissed the criticism, claiming that the law helped restore stability in the city following massive pro-democracy protests. The spokesperson reiterated on Thursday that the government of Hong Kong must adhere to its constitutional responsibility to protect national security and uphold the "One Country, Two Systems" principle and the spirit of rule of law.
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Despite international criticism, Hong Kong authorities have issued rewards for exiled activists, including those residing in the U.S. and the U.K., citing national security concerns.
