Hong Kong police demand arrest of six pro-democracy activists living in exile
Hong Kong police are seeking the arrest of six pro-democracy activists living in exile on suspicion of violating the newly imposed controversial national security law, Chinese state media reported on Friday night.
They include Nathan Law, who fled Hong Kong shortly after the imposition last month of the draconian new legislation, and Simon Cheng, a former British consulate worker. Both are currently in the UK.
They cannot be returned to face charges after Dominic Raab, Foreign Secretary, indefinitely suspended extradition to Hong Kong as part of Britain’s furious response to the national security laws. The legislation was adopted at Beijing’s insistence.
It targets subversion, secession, terrorism and colluding with foreign forces with up to life in prison. But critics say it is to silence dissidents, and argue it signals the end of the ‘one country, two systems’ approach agreed when Britain returned Hong Kong to Chinese rule in 1997.
The move came hours after Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s chief executive, abandoned September’s legislative council elections, citing the coronavirus pandemic. On Thursday, Hong Kong had banned 12 pro-democracy campaigners from standing in the poll, and the cancellation had been widely anticipated.
Mr Law, 27, who told The Daily Telegraph last month that he feared for his family left behind, said yesterday that his only “crime” was that he “loves Hong Kong too much”. He said on Facebook: “If the authorities are out to condemn you, they can always trump up a charge. I hope everyone can fight against white terror.”
Mr Cheng, who was held and tortured for 15 days while on a business trip to mainland China, has been granted asylum in the UK. He too was scathing on Facebook: “Just frame me up. Whatever the totalitarian regime wants.”
CCTV, the Chinese state broadcaster, said the six were sought for "incitement to secession and collusion with foreign forces". It named the others as Ray Wong and Wayne Chan, who were granted asylum in Germany last year, Honcques Laus, who is in the US, and Samuel Chu.
It is the first time the Hong Kong’s police have used the extraterritorial power in the new law to go after activists who are not in the territory. While there is little prospect of any of the six being arrested or sent back, the aim appears to be to sow fear among protesters in Hong Kong.
Ms Lam invoked emergency powers to postpone the elections, so dashing the dwindling hopes of pro-democracy candidates winning a majority in the city’s parliament. That would have allowed them to frustrate China’s influence.
"This is a sleazy, contemptible political act to help thwart any victory on the part of the democrats in the original election," opposition lawmaker Claudia Mo said, warning that public anger could explode.
Ms Lam said the move was “necessary,” as voters gathering at hundreds of polling stations staffed with workers could exacerbate the spread of infections, adding that her decision had the “full support” of the central government in Beijing.
In the interim, Chinese officials will decide the makeup of the legislature, she said.
Delaying the election would also allow for vaccines to be developed and administered, and for those stranded outside the city to return and cast their ballots, she said, as the two-week period to nominate candidates closed.
China’s liaison office in Hong Kong praised the decision as it “safeguards the health and safety” of the public.
The elections, originally slated for early September, were highly contentious as the opposition camp of pro-democracy candidates was poised to win a majority in the 70-seat legislative council after sweeping local district elections last year.
Hundreds of thousands also turned out in June to participate in unofficial primaries as the pro-democracy camp sought to field candidates to stand.
While Hong Kong is controlled by the ruling Chinese Communist Party, having the bulk of parliament seats could have given the opposition camp some influence in shaping city policies.
