Latest news with #Ho
CBC
16 hours ago
- Politics
- CBC
Hong Kong has issued a warrant for his arrest, but this Vancouverite isn't worried
Social Sharing Last week, Hong Kong issued arrest warrants for 19 overseas activists, all members of a group called Hong Kong Parliament, which promotes self-determination in Hong Kong and the establishment of a Hong Kong constitution. But Hong Kong alleges the group is using illegal means to overthrow institutions in China. Among the 19 is Victor Ho, a Canadian citizen and Vancouver-based journalist who works for the B.C. edition of Hong Kong's Sing Tao Daily. It's not the first time he's been faced with an arrest warrant from Hong Kong, Ho said. A warrant was issued for Ho's arrest in 2021, and again in December 2024. Ho said this most recent arrest warrant was expected. He spoke with CBC's On The Coast host Gloria Macarenko. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Victor, how did you hear about this warrant? I learned this message from social media last Thursday evening when I was attending a concert in downtown Vancouver. It's a bit of a strange feeling. How can a Canadian be wanted by the Hong Kong government three times? The first time is 2021. The second one is last December — the Hong Kong government gave one million Hong Kong dollar bounty for me. Are you concerned? Are you, are you afraid at all? No, because this is the third time. The Canadian government approached me many times after the first time I was wanted by the Hong Kong government, including Global Affairs Canada, including CSIS and including the RCMP. Even the public safety ministry, they approached me. They had various information for me about my personal safety, about my immediate danger. They have a lot of information to advise me not to go to the countries with extradition treaties with Hong Kong. They are trying to protect me and ask me what they can do to make me feel safe. WATCH | Victor Ho among those wanted in Hong Kong: Hong Kong police issue fresh wave of arrest warrants for 19 overseas activists 19 hours ago What about the accusations here? Police say that your group sought to overthrow the governments of China and Hong Kong by unlawful means. How do you respond to that? In my opinion, that is inappropriate. And this is not in proportion. We just express our willingness to organize a universal suffrage for Hong Kong people overseas and in Hong Kong proper. So me and a group of overseas Hong Kong people try to organize in a grassroot democracy style to say that the Hong Kong people have the right to self-determination, their sovereignty should be honoured. So we try to materialize these rights, democratic rights only. I don't think we have enough power to overthrow the government. What about your friends, even family in Hong Kong? What is life like for them there? Actually, I cut off all ties, all connections with my Hong Kong family members last year. This was my suggestion to cut off. I don't want to involve them. I don't want the police to come to their doorsteps and ask them a lot of questions. I just cut off all connection. Even telephone. I have a lot of relatives in Hong Kong. I have eight sisters and brothers. I haven't received any bad news from my family members in Hong Kong. So far so good. But I hope they can find no evidence from my relatives in Hong Kong because I left my original family in early 20s. For over 40 years, I don't have very close connections with them so they cannot find evidence to bother my relatives there. Why is it so many of them stay, in light of what you've described this afternoon? Why don't they leave like you have? There are various reasons: because of financial capacity, because of their ties with relatives in mainland China. Some of my elder brothers have wives from mainland China. So the cultural connection cannot be easily cut off on their standpoint. So I understand their situation. I immigrated to Canada because of my career. I know the sensitivity of my career to a communist regime. They don't like any journalists, so after a discussion with my wife, we decided to leave Hong Kong in 1997 to play it safe.
Vancouver Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Scare tactic or dangerous threat? Hong Kong activists living in B.C. react to police bounties
Hong Kong police have placed a bounty for information leading to the arrests of 19 pro-democracy activists living outside Hong Kong, including four in the Lower Mainland. The local residents are Victor Ho, Elsa Chain Lai Chun, Tony Lam, and Alan Keung Ka-wai. Keung and Lam were recently elected members of Hong Kong's Parliament, an expat organization that promotes democracy in Hong Kong. Keung has been in Canada for four months and is applying for refugee status. Born in Hong Kong, the 34-year-old said he has been arrested nine times by the authorities there, and jailed twice. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. He said police now want to arrest him because of his election to the Hong Kong Parliament, which was founded in Toronto in 2022. It recently conducted an online vote among the Hong Kong diaspora, and met virtually for the first time July 21. 'It's ridiculous,' said Keung, who was a pastor in a small church. 'I leave Hong Kong, I try to do something, (and) that is my freedom (to do so). Canada is a freedom of speech country, so I can say anything I want to say, I can do anything. 'The Chinese, the (Communist) government, they're doing this to me, (and) it is ridiculous. They try to control our freedom, even when we go outside to (another) country.' Keung said he is worried he could be kidnapped and brought back to Hong Kong for trial. 'Yeah … you know they have a lot of overseas police stations. Maybe my situation is kind of dangerous, maybe somebody will kidnap me or do bad things to me, secretly. '(But) we have to fight for democracy for Hong Kongers.' Keung said he hasn't been contacted by Canadian authorities about the arrest warrant in Hong Kong. But two federal cabinet ministers in Prime Minister Mark Carney's government have issued a joint condemnation of the arrest order. 'The actions taken by Hong Kong threaten the sovereignty of Canada and security of the people in this country,' said the statement by Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree. 'This attempt by Hong Kong authorities to conduct transnational repression abroad, including by issuing threats, intimidation or coercion against Canadians or those in Canada, will not be tolerated.' There are two levels of reward for information leading to the arrests of the pro-democracy activists. The reward is 200,000 Hong Kong dollars (about $25,500) for 15 people, including Keung. The 70-year-old Ho is one of four activists whose arrest reward is one million Hong Kong dollars ($127,500). But Ho doesn't seem too worried. He has been the subject of two previous orders for his arrest. 'It wouldn't happen in Canada,' said Ho, who immigrated to Canada in 1997 and became a Canadian citizen in 2001. 'I cannot imagine they would use this extreme method (kidnapping) to get me back to Hong Kong. I'm not Jimmy Lai (a businessman arrested in Hong Kong).' He thinks the order by the Hong Kong police is 'just a scare strategy' designed to intimidate supporters of the new Hong Kong Parliament. 'They issued the arrest warrant just to want to frighten,' said Ho, a former editor of the Sing Tao newspaper in Vancouver. 'They want to scare other Hong Kong fellows, 'Don't contact these fugitives and don't give money for them.'' The Hong Kong Parliament has been called a subversive organization by the Hong Kong police, and the 19 charged have been accused of violating a national security law imposed by Beijing. Ho was one of the organizers of the Hong Kong Parliament, but didn't stand for office. It is a relatively small organization — only 15,702 people voted in its election. But Ho still thinks the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities still see it as a threat. 'The nature of the Hong Kong Parliament is promoting direct elections for all Hong Kong people, (but the authorities) don't want to implement universal suffrage for Hong Kong,' said Ho. 'They fear that message will ignite political emotion in Hong Kong proper, or among the Hong Kong people (and) community around the globe.' jmackie@
Vancouver Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Canada denounces Hong Kong's bounties on pro-democracy advocates living abroad
The Canadian government is condemning Hong Kong's law enforcement authorities after they issued bounties and warrants for 19 pro-democracy activists, some of whom live in Canada. In a joint statement, federal Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said Saturday that Canada will not tolerate what it describes as an attempt for Hong Kong 'to conduct transnational repression abroad.' The statement came after Hong Kong police announced Friday warrants and rewards for 19 activists for 'suspected contravention' of its National Security Law for their roles in promoting self-determination in the Chinese special administrative region. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Some of the activists named, including Canadian Victor Ho, already faced warrants stemming from an announcement from Hong Kong in December and have a HK$1 million reward for information for their arrests. 'The new warrant … will help to draw more attention for (the) international community to realize that the transnational repression of (China) is so toxic and dangerous to normal people on exercising freedom of expression and speech,' Ho said in a text message to The Canadian Press. Ho added he was not surprised to hear his name on the new warrant list again, and the best policy on handling the situation is 'to keep everyday business as usual as possible.' The new list of 19 people added at least three other Canadian residents to the list with rewards of HK$200,000 offered, including Vancouver-based activist Keung Ka-wai. Keung said while he is somewhat concerned about his safety, he does not plan to stop his work in the Hong Kong democratic movement as he has already been arrested nine times and jailed twice for his participation before leaving for Canada. 'It is very important to us because that is our dream,' Keung said of the pro-democracy movement. 'And we have to do what must be done to develop the democracy of Hong Kong. 'I think it is really important to me and to every Hong Konger.' Hong Kong police said in its announcement that they are calling on those on the wanted list to return and turn themselves in instead of 'making more mistakes,' but Keung said he has no plans to do so. Ho agreed, adding that he is not concerned about his personal safety and has cut off all contact with Hong Kong family members since last year, and Global Affairs Canada has reached out to find out how many people living in the country are being targeted. In their joint statement, Anand and Anandasangaree criticized the warrants and say Canada 'stands in solidarity' with other 'international partners whose citizens and residents have also been affected by the new development,' which it calls an 'act of transnational repression.' 'The individuals targeted yesterday under the Beijing-imposed National Security Law in Hong Kong include Canadians and people with close ties to Canada,' their statement said. 'Canada reiterates its previous calls to repeal this law, which violates Hong Kong's international human rights obligations, and withdraw all related warrants and bounties.' Back in December, Ho responded in a Facebook post to his name being on the then-announced wanted list as the 'best Christmas present.' 'A Canadian citizen like me … has the protection of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and exercised his right to the freedom of speech,' said Ho, who is the former editor-in-chief of the Sing Tao Daily newspaper. Ho helped launched a plan in Canada to elect an unofficial 'Hong Kong parliament' in 2022, and the organizers' Facebook page says voting wrapped in June and garnered 15,702 total votes. — with files from The Associated Press Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Edmonton Journal
3 days ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Canada denounces Hong Kong's bounties on pro-democracy advocates living abroad
The Canadian government is condemning Hong Kong's law enforcement authorities after they issued bounties and warrants for 19 pro-democracy activists, some of whom live in Canada. Article content In a joint statement, federal Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said Saturday that Canada will not tolerate what it describes as an attempt for Hong Kong 'to conduct transnational repression abroad.' Article content Article content Article content The statement came after Hong Kong police announced Friday warrants and rewards for 19 activists for 'suspected contravention' of its National Security Law for their roles in promoting self-determination in the Chinese special administrative region. Article content Article content 'The new warrant … will help to draw more attention for (the) international community to realize that the transnational repression of (China) is so toxic and dangerous to normal people on exercising freedom of expression and speech,' Ho said in a text message to The Canadian Press. Article content Ho added he was not surprised to hear his name on the new warrant list again, and the best policy on handling the situation is 'to keep everyday business as usual as possible.' Article content Article content The new list of 19 people added at least three other Canadian residents to the list with rewards of HK$200,000 offered, including Vancouver-based activist Keung Ka-wai. Article content Article content Keung said while he is somewhat concerned about his safety, he does not plan to stop his work in the Hong Kong democratic movement as he has already been arrested nine times and jailed twice for his participation before leaving for Canada. Article content 'It is very important to us because that is our dream,' Keung said of the pro-democracy movement. 'And we have to do what must be done to develop the democracy of Hong Kong. Article content 'I think it is really important to me and to every Hong Konger.' Article content Hong Kong police said in its announcement that they are calling on those on the wanted list to return and turn themselves in instead of 'making more mistakes,' but Keung said he has no plans to do so. Article content Ho agreed, adding that he is not concerned about his personal safety and has cut off all contact with Hong Kong family members since last year, and Global Affairs Canada has reached out to find out how many people living in the country are being targeted.
Epoch Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Canada Condemns Hong Kong Authorities After Warrants Issued for Overseas Activists
OTTAWA—The Canadian government is condemning Hong Kong's law enforcement authorities after they issued bounties and warrants for 19 pro-democracy activists, some of whom live in Canada. In a joint statement, federal Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said Saturday that Canada will not tolerate what it describes as an attempt for Hong Kong 'to conduct transnational repression abroad.' The statement came after Hong Kong police announced Friday warrants and rewards for 19 activists for 'suspected contravention' of its National Security Law for their roles in promoting self-determination in the Chinese special administrative region. Some of the activists named, including Canadian Victor Ho, already faced warrants stemming from an announcement from Hong Kong in December and have a HK$1 million reward for information for their arrests. 'The new warrant … will help to draw more attention for (the) international community to realize that the transnational repression of (China) is so toxic and dangerous to normal people on exercising freedom of expression and speech,' Ho said in a text message to The Canadian Press. Ho added he was not surprised to hear his name on the new warrant list again, and the best policy on handling the situation is 'to keep everyday business as usual as possible.' The new list of 19 people added at least three other Canadian residents to the list with rewards of HK$200,000 offered, including Vancouver-based activist Keung Ka-wai. Keung said while he is somewhat concerned about his safety, he does not plan to stop his work in the Hong Kong democratic movement as he has already been arrested nine times and jailed twice for his participation before leaving for Canada. 'It is very important to us because that is our dream,' Keung said of the pro-democracy movement. 'And we have to do what must be done to develop the democracy of Hong Kong. 'I think it is really important to me and to every Hong Konger.' Hong Kong police said in its announcement that they are calling on those on the wanted list to return and turn themselves in instead of 'making more mistakes,' but Keung said he has no plans to do so. Ho agreed, adding that he is not concerned about his personal safety and has cut off all contact with Hong Kong family members since last year, and Global Affairs Canada has reached out to find out how many people living in the country are being targeted. In their joint statement, Anand and Anandasangaree criticized the warrants and say Canada 'stands in solidarity' with other 'international partners whose citizens and residents have also been affected by the new development,' which it calls an 'act of transnational repression.' 'The individuals targeted yesterday under the Beijing-imposed National Security Law in Hong Kong include Canadians and people with close ties to Canada,' their statement said. 'Canada reiterates its previous calls to repeal this law, which violates Hong Kong's international human rights obligations, and withdraw all related warrants and bounties.' Back in December, Ho responded in a Facebook post to his name being on the then-announced wanted list as the 'best Christmas present.' 'A Canadian citizen like me … has the protection of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and exercised his right to the freedom of speech,' said Ho, who is the former editor-in-chief of the Sing Tao Daily newspaper. Ho helped launched a plan in Canada to elect an unofficial 'Hong Kong parliament' in 2022, and the organizers' Facebook page says voting wrapped in June and garnered 15,702 total votes.
