Hong Kong Police Set Rewards for Arrest of Eight Activists Opposing China

On Monday, July 3, Hong Kong police charged eight overseas-based activists with serious national security offenses and announced rewards for information leading to their arrests. These activists, opposing the Chinese government, have been accused of colluding with foreign countries and inciting secession. According to Reuters, Steve Li, an officer from the National Security Department of the Hong Kong police, stated in a press conference that Nathan Law, Anna Kwok, and Finn Lau; former lawmakers, Dennis Kwok and Ted Hui; lawyers and legal experts, as well as Kevin Yam, Mong Sze-tat, and Yuan Gong-yi, online commentators, have called for sanctions and the destruction of Hong Kong and have intimidated officials. The police also issued a statement offering rewards of HK$1 million, approximately US$127,000, for their capture and indicated that their assets would be frozen if possible. Additionally, the police warned the public not to financially support these activists. The statement noted that these eight activists have 'requested foreign powers to sanction Hong Kong and China.' They are based in several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. They are being pursued under the national security law imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong, a former British colony, in 2020.