Hong Kong authorities on Monday escalated their campaign against 16 overseas-based activists, enforcing new measures that include passport cancellations and financial sanctions. The activists had previously been targeted with arrest warrants and cash bounties for allegedly endangering national security.
The 16 individuals are part of a group of 19 activists sought since July over their alleged involvement with Hong Kong Parliament, an unofficial overseas-based organisation described by police as subversive. Authorities said three of the 19 had already been subject to similar measures last year.
In a statement, the Hong Kong government announced that Secretary for Security Chris Tang had banned the provision of any funds or economic resources to the 16 targeted individuals. Among those named were Victor Ho, Keung Ka-wai, Australian academic Chongyi Feng, and US citizen Gong Sasha.
Twelve of the 16 who hold Hong Kong passports had their travel documents revoked. Authorities also prohibited leasing property to them or entering joint ventures involving them. Violations of these restrictions could lead to penalties of up to seven years in prison.
The government accused the activists, who are reportedly residing in countries including the UK, US, Canada, Germany, Australia, Thailand, and Taiwan, of continuing activities deemed threatening to national security.
In the statement, the government further alleged the individuals were “intending to incite hatred against the Central Authorities and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region through smear and slander,” adding that the new measures were intended “to make a significant impact.”
The actions were taken under provisions of Hong Kong’s domestic national security law passed last year, expanding the government’s reach beyond the sweeping 2020 national security law imposed by Beijing. That earlier law has been used to crush dissent following the mass anti-government protests of 2019, leading to numerous arrests, prosecutions, and self-exiles of pro-democracy figures.
The July arrest warrants triggered criticism from the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union. Hong Kong police had offered rewards ranging from HK$200,000 ($25,480) to HK$1 million ($127,400) for information leading to the activists’ capture.
Reacting to the initial July announcement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the measures as “transnational repression,” saying, “We will not tolerate the Hong Kong government’s attempts to apply its national security laws to silence or intimidate Americans or anyone on US soil.”
In response, the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Hong Kong office defended the government’s actions and rejected criticism from foreign governments, reiterating that the national security laws are essential for safeguarding stability in the city.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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