Hong Kong on Tuesday stepped up security in the financial hub, imposing rewards of HK$1 million or $128,728 on six more pro-democracy campaigners accused of violating national security laws and revoking the passports of seven others.
Hong Kong Security Secretary Chris Tang said six people based overseas, including Britain and the United States, were involved in the alleged crimes of inciting secession, subversion and collusion with foreign forces.
The six included Britain-based commentator Chung Kim-wah, former head of the pro-independence group Tony Chung and Hong Kong Democracy Council member Carmen Lau.
“(I) will not back down just because of an arrest warrant and a reward. And I hope every one of you will stand with me in this fight for Hong Kong,” Lau wrote on Twitter.
The move to add more names to Hong Kong’s wanted list comes as the city seeks to revive its economic growth and international reputation after years of a crackdown on dissent that has drawn global criticism.
Authorities in China and Hong Kong have defended the crackdown under sweeping national security laws, saying it has restored stability after massive pro-democracy protests in 2019.
Tang said the six pro-democracy campaigners had engaged in activities including giving speeches, social media posts and lobbying to have Hong Kong officials and judges sanctioned by foreign governments, thereby threatening national security.
China’s Office for the Safeguarding of National Security in Hong Kong said in a statement that it supported the actions because the individuals were engaged in “anti-China” and destabilizing acts.
Others were considered to be advocating Hong Kong’s independence from China. Hong Kong, a British colony for more than 150 years, returned to Chinese rule in 1997.
US-based Hong Kong activist Anna Kwok wrote, “Instead of celebrating Christmas, it (Hong Kong) is taking a major step towards increasing its international repression campaign.”
There are now a total of 19 opposition figures on the city’s wanted list, including lawyers Kevin Yam and Dennis Kwok, former lawmaker Ted Hui and activists Nathan Law and Joey Siu.
$100,000 of Hui’s money was seized from an unspecified bank in the city, Tang said. Notices containing black-and-white photographs of “fugitives” have been posted in public places, including Hong Kong’s international airport.
Seven “fugitives”, including Hui, who now live abroad, also had their passports revoked under a new set of national security laws introduced this year, known as Article 23.
“They will become persons without any identity,” Tang told reporters.