China has accused the United Kingdom of harbouring Hong Kong fugitives, after a bounty was placed on the heads of eight pro-democracy activists who fled the territory.
Critics warned that the Hong Kong security law would suppress dissent, this has made campaigners around the world are concerned.
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The statement from China’s embassy in London came after the UK declared it would not tolerate Chinese attempts to suppress individuals in the UK or elsewhere.
After Beijing adopted broad national security legislation in 2020, the eight left the former British territory.
Chief Executive John Lee of Hong Kong stated that they will be “pursued for life.” He urged them to surrender, saying that if they did not, they would spend their days in fear.
British politicians have openly offered protection for the fugitives. A Chinese embassy spokesperson in London said late Monday, blasting what is called “crude interference in Hong Kong’s rule of law and China’s internal affairs.”
The eight people identified in the announcement are all from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia, which do not have extradition relations with China.
One pro-democracy campaigner who fled Hong Kong told the BBC that the bounty offered for his arrest had made his life more perilous.
Nathan Law, who lives in the United Kingdom, said he needed to be “more careful” about disclosing his whereabouts because of the incentive.
The eight activists were accused of conspiring with foreign forces, a crime punishable by a life sentence, and sometimes death.
The charge falls under Hong Kong’s draconian security statute, which was enacted three years ago in response to major pro-democracy protests in 2019.
Beijing claims the security measure is necessary to provide stability to the city, but others claim it is intended to crush dissent.
We call on Beijing to repeal the national security law and the Hong Kong authorities to stop targeting those who stand up for freedom and democracy, said UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.
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Hundreds of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong have been imprisoned and sentenced under the law.
Mr Law, a key participant in the pro-democracy movement, said that while he felt “relatively safe” in the UK, he would have to leave.
