On this August 2020 {photograph}, pro-democracy lawmakers Ted Hui (Centre L) and Lam Cheuk-ting (C) converse to the press outdoors the West Kowloon Magistrates Courtroom after being granted bail following their arrest the day earlier than in a police operation centered on final yr’s big protests.
Anthony Wallace | Afp | Getty Pictures
Hong Kong Chief Govt John Lee vowed Tuesday to pursue eight pro-democracy activists “for all times” after they have been focused with arrest warrants for alleged nationwide safety offences.
“Endangering nationwide safety is a critical crime and the [Hong Kong] authorities will implement the regulation strictly,” Lee mentioned in Cantonese at a press convention in Hong Kong, in keeping with a CNBC translation.
“The federal government will use all authorized means, and to one of the best of our capability, maintain these criminals endangering nationwide safety accountable,” he added. “Even when these fugitives go to the ends of the Earth, the authorities will pursue these criminals for all times.”
Lee mentioned give up is the one answer for them. “In any other case, they are going to be pursued for all times, worrying on daily basis about being arrested and residing in concern,” he added.
On Monday, Hong Kong police accused the eight abroad activists of offences underneath the nationwide safety regulation, together with overseas collusion, subversion and incitement to succession. The controversial regulation was resisted for a number of years earlier than it was imposed on Hong Kong in 2020 after protracted anti-China protests the yr earlier than.
Beijing mentioned on the time that the laws was aimed toward prohibiting secession, subversion of state energy, terrorism actions and overseas interference. Critics imagine the safety regulation undermines the autonomy promised to Hong Kong for 50 years after it was handed over from the U.Okay. to China on July 1, 1997.
Police have additionally provided a reward of 1 million Hong Kong {dollars} ($127, 715) for data resulting in the arrest of every activist and warned the general public it is unlawful to supply them any type of monetary help.
U.S., UK condemnation
The U.S. on Monday condemned the transfer, saying “the extraterritorial software of the Beijing-imposed Nationwide Safety Regulation is a harmful precedent that threatens the human rights and basic freedoms of individuals all around the world.”
The State Division additionally known as on the Hong Kong authorities to withdraw the “bounty” and cease the worldwide assertion of the nationwide safety regulation.
Australia’s International Minister Penny Wong expressed “deep concern” whereas British International Secretary James Cleverly mentioned the U.Okay. authorities “won’t tolerate any makes an attempt by China to intimidate and silence people within the UK and abroad.”
“The U.Okay. will at all times defend the common proper to freedom of expression and arise for individuals who are focused,” he mentioned in an announcement.
China’s Ministry of International Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning responded Tuesday: “We specific our sturdy dissatisfaction and agency opposition to sure international locations’ blatant denigration of the Hong Kong Nationwide Safety Regulation and interference within the Hong Kong SAR’s rule of regulation.”
“I want to reiterate that Hong Kong affairs are purely China’s inside affairs and no exterior forces are allowed to intervene. Related international locations ought to respect China’s sovereignty and Hong Kong’s rule of regulation, cease supporting anti-China disruptors in Hong Kong, and cease shielding criminals,” Mao mentioned at a daily press convention in Beijing, in keeping with a translation supplied by Reuters.
The accused are activists Nathan Regulation, Anna Kwok and Finn Lau, unionist Mung Siu-tat, on-line commentator Yuan Gong-yi, former legislators Dennis Kwok and Ted Hui in addition to lawyer and authorized scholar Kevin Yam, who’s an Australian citizen. Many Hong Kong activists left the town after it carried out the nationwide safety regulation and sought asylum in international locations just like the U.S., U.Okay. and Australia.
The Hong Kong authorities’s costs additionally accuse the activists of “instigating” overseas powers to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and China.
“I’ve not accepted any overseas govt funding, nor am I employed by any govt companies. I do not settle for any instructions or orders,” Regulation mentioned on Twitter. “If assembly overseas politicians, attending seminars & hearings are ‘colluding with overseas forces,’ a variety of HK officers needs to be in authorized hassle.”