The Chinese Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is searching for five activists living abroad with high bounties for suspected national security crimes. Britain’s Foreign Minister Cameron criticized the move.
Hong Kong has issued arrest warrants against five other activists living abroad. The police in the Chinese Special Administrative Region said that rewards of one million Hong Kong dollars (around 116,500 euros) were offered for information that led to the arrest of those wanted.
The activists affected are Simon Cheng, Frances Hui, Joey Siu, Johnny Fok and Tony Choi. In a similar move, Hong Kong authorities had already placed bounties on eight other prominent democracy activists living abroad in July.
Great Britain criticizes China’s actions
British Foreign Minister David Cameron criticized the approach. “We will not tolerate any attempt by any foreign power to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities in the UK,” Cameron said in a statement.
After the Chinese Special Administrative Region passed a draconian “security law” to suppress the democracy movement three years ago, many activists fled, especially to Great Britain, Australia and the USA.
Observers pointed out at the time that the Hong Kong authorities’ measure was unlikely to have any effect. After all, the countries in which those affected now live have long since suspended their extradition agreements with Hong Kong.
Damage to Hong Kong’s image feared
Critics of the measures complain that the bounties placed on the mostly young activists are further damaging the international reputation of the financial metropolis. The wanted posters of the wanted people are clearly visible at the Hong Kong airport and other border crossings.
In recent years, China’s central government has continued to expand its influence in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Almost everything that is directed against the Communist Party that rules China can now be punished under the “Security Law”.
Common accusations against activists include secession, subversion of state order, terrorism and collusion with foreign powers.