Hong Kong authorities have rewarded five pro-democracy activists living abroad — offering 1 million Hong Kong dollars for information leading to their arrest.
“It still feels surreal to be on a wanted list with a gift,” Simon Cheng, a 33-year-old pro-democracy activist and political refugee based in London, told The Post. “It makes no sense because my request is a truly humble and legitimate request: to expect the people of Hong Kong to have our choice for political leaders.”
Cheng and four other activists are accused of colluding with foreign powers and inciting secession for their pro-democracy activism abroad.
“This bounty is an attempt to name and shame any disobedient individual and try to isolate and make them financially vulnerable and cut them off from anyone who supports them,” Cheng explained.
Hong Kong police, who claim the activists are “all betraying their own country,” are offering the equivalent of $128,000 USD for information leading to the arrest of the dissidents, and have warned they are being hunted for life.
Simon Cheng is among the five names placed on the Hong Kong prize list. Courtesy of Simon Cheng
“I’m actually not surprised because I’m very vocal abroad and continue to criticize the government,” said Cheng, who is the founder of the non-profit HongkongersUK. “Sooner or later, I’ll be a target because I’m making noise internationally.”
It is just the latest move in Hong Kong to crack down on pro-democracy activists. Authorities have targeted activists under the National Security Law 2020, which allows them to arrest anyone accused of endangering national security.
“‘Endangering national security’ can mean almost anything,” according to Amnesty International, which says that “the law has been abused since day one.”
Frances Hui has been a pro-democracy activist since she was 14 years old. frances.huii/Instagram
Frances Hui, a 24-year-old pro-democracy activist, was included in the award. He was forced to leave Hong Kong when the National Security Law was passed in 2020.
Hui has been an activist since the age of 14, when she joined the student organization Scholarist and, while wearing her school uniform, protested in solidarity with the 2014 prodemocracy Umbrella Protest in Hong Kong, which ended with hundreds of arrests and injuries.
“It’s not about political issues when people who assemble peacefully are beaten to death and criminalized,” said Hui. “It’s very different from what I grew up with, and it’s a threat to free speech itself. It is a basic human right to be able to speak the truth and share ideas, and that has been taken away.”
Hong Kong was rocked by massive protests in 2019, leading to mass arrests. AP
While studying journalism at Emerson College in Boston, Hui gained international attention for organizing solidarity protests for pro-democracy demonstrations at home. He returned to Hong Kong after graduating but soon had to flee back to the United States to avoid arrest.
Hui currently resides in Washington, DC, where she works as the policy and advocacy coordinator for the Community Foundation for Freedom in Hong Kong.
Although he expected a prize to be awarded to him, he told the Post that it was “still very shocking” to have a price on his head.
“One million Hong Kong dollars is quite big. It’s more than [is listed for] child rapists or murderers in Hong Kong, who are insane,” Hui told The Post. “Obviously it was an act of intimidation. They want to scare you.”
Frances Hui organized pro-democracy protests in support of Hong Kong while a student in the United States. frances.huii/Instagram
In response, he beefed up his personal security system in DC and took care to reduce his digital footprint. But he was more worried about the people he knew at home than his personal safety in the United States.
“It won’t change my life here, but it will affect my relationships in Hong Kong. They tried to separate us from the people by making us fugitives,” he explained. “Arrest warrants have been placed across Hong Kong. It is broadcast on TV channels. People walking down the street will probably see my face.”
Cheng, who was forced to cut ties with his family after seeking refuge in the United Kingdom, also feels concern for those back home: “I worry that one day my parents or relatives may get into trouble just because of my activities abroad.”
Famous pro-democracy protesters take to the streets of Hong Kong with umbrellas in 2014. AFP via Getty Images
He also has concerns about his personal safety in London, where pro-democracy activists from Hong Kong have faced threats and physical attacks.
“I worry about surveillance and secret agents and whistleblowers,” he said. “It is difficult to trust others because of totalitarian tactics, even abroad. You always have to worry about whether people can be trusted.”
Cheng had worked as a trade and investment officer at the British Consulate and was arrested by Chinese authorities in 2019, when he claimed he was tortured on suspicion that he was a British spy inciting pro-democracy protests.
After speaking about his torture in the media, Cheng was forced to flee Hong Kong and seek refuge in London in 2019.
Simon Cheng has been granted protection in the United Kingdom. Courtesy of Simon Cheng
There, he founded an organization called HongkongersUK, which helps political dissidents relocate and integrate in Britain with everything from yoga classes to information sessions on buying property.
“It is important to build the diaspora community to have a more vibrant pro-democracy voice,” Cheng said. “The whole community has been targeted by the Chinese regime, and that is why we need to unite. We cannot be isolated.”
He got word of the prize a day after flying from Taiwan to London.
“I actually felt very lucky when I heard the news, because I had just passed through the airspace of China and Hong Kong the day before,” he said.
Simon Cheng said a colleague was alerted to a government-backed attack on an email account following the gift. Courtesy of Simon Cheng
Within days of the warrant, a colleague at HongkongersUK was notified of a government-backed attack on his Google account, which Cheng suspected was a government-sponsored private hacker working for the Chinese government.
Now he fears the handout might make people in Hong Kong – and fellow dissidents overseas – more wary of joining the fight for democracy.
“The effect of the national security law in Hong Kong is that it is actually less free here in the UK,” he said. “It has a sad effect overseas because Hong Kong people might be afraid to engage with me.”
But Cheng will not be deterred by the bounty.
Frances Hui said the grant would not affect her activism. Sincerely Francis Hiu
“I have decided that no matter how difficult it is, I will continue to speak out,” he said. “It is not possible to return as an activist. The only way forward is for this oppressive law to be repealed so that my people have basic freedom and dignity.”
Hui agreed.
“Nothing will change because of this gift,” he said. “I will not obey and remain silent.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
