Following widespread pro-democracy protests in 2019, Beijing imposed the national security law, cut the number of elected legislators and disqualified lawmakers it deemed unpatriotic, effectively eliminating any political opposition in the body. The law criminalizes vaguely worded acts such as secession, subversion and foreign collusion.
In a statement, Blinken said that the “list of cash awards” displayed a “disregard for international norms and human rights in Hong Kong and the deterioration of that city’s once proud tradition of respecting the rule of law.”
“We strongly oppose any efforts to intimidate and silence individuals who choose to make the United States their home,” he added.
Mao Ning, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said to reporters Friday that “We strongly deplore and firmly oppose certain countries’ flagrant slandering against the national security law for Hong Kong and interference in the rule of law.”
Joey Siu, 24, a U.S. citizen who was a figure in mass 2019 protests, is wanted for arrest over calling for sanctions. She said on social media, “I will never be silenced, I will never back down.”
Frances Hui, 24, who was granted asylum in the United States, is accused of endangering national security because she urged foreign countries to impose sanctions, blockade or “engage in other hostile activities against the People’s Republic of China,” the Hong Kong police said.
Hui said she would “continue to advocate for the sanctioning of Hong Kong officials and their mouthpieces,” in a statement posted to social media. “In spirit of Hongkongers persistence, I will keep on fighting,” she said.
The other three on the list are Simon Cheng, 33, a former employee of the British Consulate in Hong Kong, who said he was tortured by China, plus Johnny Fok, 42, and Tony Choi, 46.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron also spoke against the list, which includes individuals residing in the United Kingdom, and called on China to repeal the national security law.
“We will not tolerate any attempt by any foreign power to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities in the UK,” he said in a statement. “This is a threat to our democracy and fundamental human rights.”
In July, Hong Kong put bounties on eight other individuals, including activist Nathan Law, former lawmakers Dennis Kwok and Ted Hui, and legal scholar Kevin Yam.
Hong Kong was handed from British to Chinese rule in 1997 under a “one country, two systems” framework that gave it relative autonomy in legal and other matters. The financial center still maintains border control and a currency that is different from mainland China’s. A crackdown on 2019 protests marked the beginning of a new period of greater Chinese control.
