Latest news with #HongKongNationalSecurityLaw
RTHK
4 days ago
- Politics
- RTHK
Govt rejects UK officials' remarks on security actions
Govt rejects UK officials' remarks on security actions The government demanded the UK immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong's affairs. File photo: RTHK The government on Saturday expressed its strong disapproval and opposition to untrue and biased remarks by British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper on the SAR's lawful act to pursue wanted persons endangering national security absconding from Hong Kong. "Endangering national security is a very serious offence. No country will watch with folded arms on acts and activities that endanger national security," a government spokesman said. Police on Friday issued arrest warrants for 19 people accused for violating the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) by forming or joining an organisation called the "Hong Kong Parliament". "Thus, the police applied to the court for arrest warrants in accordance with the law and put the persons on the wanted list." The spokesman further clarified the extraterritorial application of offences under the HKNSL is fully consistent with international law and represents a necessary measure for effective law enforcement. The spokesman also criticised the UK for having its own national security laws while questioning Hong Kong's legal actions, accusing the country of double standards. It demanded the UK government to immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong matters which are purely China's internal affairs.
RTHK
5 days ago
- Politics
- RTHK
19 wanted over alleged national security violations
19 wanted over alleged national security violations The police urge the wanted persons to return to Hong Kong and surrender. The police announced on Friday that they have issued arrest warrants for 19 people accused of violating the Hong Kong National Security Law by forming or joining an organisation called the "Hong Kong Parliament". According to the National Security Department of the police force, the "Hong Kong Parliament" aims to subvert state power and challenge the central and SAR governments. Police said its objectives include promoting 'self-determination,' drawing up a so-called 'Hong Kong constitution,' and using unlawful means to overturn the country's constitutional order in violation of Article 22 of the National Security Law. Nine of the suspects are accused of establishing the "Hong Kong Parliament" and organising its election. Among them are Elmer Yuen, Victor Ho, Tony Choi, and Johnny Fok, who were earlier placed on the wanted list for suspected national security offences. Authorities have offered rewards of HK$1 million each for information leading to their arrests. As for the other five suspects, along with 10 others who were named as wanted persons for allegedly participating in the election, the police are offering a reward of HK$200,000 each. All 19 wanted individuals are said to be living outside Hong Kong. "The above wanted persons are urged to surrender to Hong Kong Police over their roles in engaging in endangering national security activities, so as to rectify their mistakes," according to a police statement. Officers said investigations are still ongoing and more people may be added to the wanted list if necessary. They pledged to continue working hard to bring all the suspects to justice.
RTHK
5 days ago
- Politics
- RTHK
19 wanted over alleged national security violations
19 wanted over alleged national security violations The police urge the wanted persons to return to Hong Kong and surrender. The police announced on Friday that they have issued arrest warrants for 19 people accused of violating the Hong Kong National Security Law by forming or joining an organisation called the "Hong Kong Parliament". According to the National Security Department of the police force, the "Hong Kong Parliament" aims to subvert state power and challenge the central and SAR governments. Police said its objectives include promoting 'self-determination,' drawing up a so-called 'Hong Kong constitution,' and using unlawful means to overturn the country's constitutional order in violation of Article 22 of the National Security Law. Nine of the suspects are accused of forming "Hong Kong Parliament" and arranging its election. Among them were Elmer Yuen, Victor Ho, Tony Choi, and Johnny Fok, who were earlier placed on the wanted list for suspected national security offences. Authorities have offered rewards of HK$1 million each for information leading to their arrests. As for the other five suspects, along with 10 others who were named as wanted persons for allegedly participating in the election, the police are offering a reward of HK$200,000 each. All 19 wanted individuals are said to be living outside Hong Kong. "The above wanted persons are urged to surrender to Hong Kong Police over their roles in engaging in endangering national security activities, so as to rectify their mistakes," a police statement said. Officers said investigations are still ongoing and more people may be added to the wanted list if necessary. They pledged to continue working hard to bring all the suspects to justice.
Japan Forward
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Forward
Facing the Invisible Tank: A Hong Kong Group's Fight to Restore Dignity to Political Prisoners
In this five-part series, JAPAN Forward profiles individuals in Hong Kong who are standing up against the far-reaching impact of the National Security Law. The final installment, Part 5, focuses on Yu Yat, an organization dedicated to supporting ex-prisoners from the 2019 pro-democracy protests. In early June, I met a 45-year-old man who had just been released from a Hong Kong prison in April. The man had been arrested while attempting to rescue students from Hong Kong Polytechnic University during the most intense clashes of the 2019 anti-government protests. He tried to help them escape by car but was arrested and sentenced to 22 months in prison. During our conversation, he shared details about his life after prison: — What work are you doing now? "I gather odd jobs like car washing, air conditioning cleaning, and carrying goods, which I share with my companions." — Who do you work with? "About ten people, aged 22 to 50, who were also released from prison." — What work did you do before your arrest? "I worked in construction. I haven't contacted my previous company or clients." — Is there social discrimination? "Of course there is. And there always will be. So my dream is to move to the United Kingdom and start my life over." — Has society changed? "About 70% of the people I was close to have moved abroad. That's 70%. There's no one to talk to anymore. It's hard to adjust back to society. Right now, I can only focus on living in the present." A banner reading "Five Years since Implementation of the National Security Law" stands out against a shuttered store in Hong Kong. (©Sankei by Kinya Fujimoto) An organization that aims to support such people is "如一" (Yu Yat, lit "As One" or "Unified"). Based in the Kowloon district, it helps individuals arrested during the 2019 pro-democracy protests. The group sells coffee, wine, ready-made foods, and other products online, using the profits to provide services such as delivering goods to incarcerated individuals. To date, about 700 people have used the organization. The organization's representative, Mak Chui Yi, 29, shared insights about their work, five years after the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law. "This year, we started a program to support employment for young people who have been released from prison, she said. However, with Hong Kong's economy not fully recovered, finding companies willing to hire ex-prisoners is no easy task. Adviser Yau Si Chung, 33, commented: "It's important to make sure society doesn't forget about prisoners and ex-prisoners. We need to prevent their 'social death.'" Anti-government demonstration held in Hong Kong in 2019. (©Sankei by Kinya Fujimoto) To highlight the voices of ex-prisoners, Yu Yat began a podcast in 2025. The show features the stories of those who have been released from prison. Former pro-democracy district councilor, Lancelot Chan Wing-tai, 61, is the host. He himself is an ex-prisoner. Lancelot Chan Wing-tai. In June 2020, Chan was arrested and prosecuted for calling for a protest against the National Security Law, which was implemented that night. He was sentenced to prison and spent about 10 months behind bars, being released in May 2023. Chan shared, "I want not only to help citizens understand the feelings of those released from prison but also to tell them personally, 'Don't worry! You'll be able to live a normal life.'" He also wants to convey something else to both ex-prisoners and today's youth: "Don't [recklessly] put yourself in a situation where you'll be arrested. Now is the time to gather your strength." Yu Yat was established in 2022. Mak, the representative, had never participated directly in the protests or run for election. She simply worked in the office of a pro-democracy district councilor. To avoid attracting attention from the authorities, it was necessary for someone without strong pro-democracy affiliations to take the role of the representative. After much consideration, she took on the role of leading Yu Yat. "Someone had to do it," Mak said. Recently, she said she feels "pressure" as she sees her friends advancing in their careers. However, she emphasized, "The most important thing is to continue the work of Yu Yat even as it has become more difficult. I am satisfied with that." Yau Si Chung, though a pro-democracy activist, revealed that after becoming involved with Yu Yat, he was encouraged to "focus more on financial matters than on his own beliefs" and that this led to "internal conflict." When asked about the impact of the National Security Law after five years, Yau responded, "Now Hong Kong is a place where speech can be a crime. I don't think Hong Kong will ever return to what it was before [the implementation of the NSL]." But he added, with a touch of hope, "There are still Hong Kong people who are trying to slow down the pace of Hong Kong's sinicization." Indeed, there are people in Hong Kong, like Chan, Mak, and Yau, who continue to stand firm in front of the invisible tank, resisting powers that seek to suppress the truth by force. ( Read the article in Japanese . ) Author: Kinya Fujimoto, The Sankei Shimbun
HKFP
16-07-2025
- Politics
- HKFP
Beijing slams BBC Chinese, Nikkei Asia over ‘distorted reports' on Hong Kong nat. sec law
China's foreign ministry office in Hong Kong has condemned articles published by BBC Chinese and Nikkei Asia, accusing the foreign media outlets of 'smearing' the city's national security law as it marked its fifth anniversary last month. In a statement released on Tuesday, the spokesperson of the Commissioner's Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong said reports, commentaries and editorials published by 'certain foreign media outlets,' including BBC Chinese and Nikkei Asia, had 'discredited the successful practice of One Country, Two Systems' in the city. Without referring to specific articles, the spokesperson called on the two media organisations to 'respect facts, not lies,' and 'uphold fairness, not double standards.' The office said that since the national security law was implemented on June 30, 2020, Hong Kong 'has regained stability' and the city's economic development 'has returned to the right track,' adding that enacting national security legislation is a 'common international practice.' 'Yet, while being conspicuously quiet about their own national security laws, these outlets maliciously attack the Hong Kong National Security Law, which once again exposed their hypocrisy and double standards,' the statement read. Last month, BBC Chinese published at least five reports relating to the fifth anniversary of the national security law. One article featured interviews with journalism scholar Francis Lee, as well as a journalist and a political commentator, both using pseudonyms, on their views about public opinion in the city after the national security law took effect. Lee said some Hongkongers may avoid news because they felt 'disappointed' in the social environment. Meanwhile, the journalist said he did not want to become the 'mouthpiece' of the government, but, at the same time, struggled to include opinion from 'appropriate interviewees' following a wave of disbandment of political parties and civil society groups. BBC Chinese also produced a video report about national security education in the city. The UK-based news outlet spoke with local secondary school and university students, teachers responsible for coordinating national security education, and members of the public about the effectiveness of patriotic education. Some interviewees said society became more 'harmonious' after the government stepped up national education, while others said it amounted to 'brainwashing' and did not make them more patriotic. On June 30, Nikkei Asia published an article about the emergence of the Chinese-language publishing scene in Tokyo after the national security law was implemented in Hong Kong. The legislation has 'undermined' Hong Kong's 'uncensored book scene,' the report read. The Japan-based outlet also published a report on July 1 – the 28th anniversary of Hong Kong's Handover to China – about the city's press freedom following the enactment of the national security law. The report featured an interview with Washington-based journalist Barry Wood, who suspected that his dismissal from government-funded broadcaster RTHK earlier this year was linked to a column about the 2019 protests he wrote years earlier. It also interviewed journalist Lam Yin-pong, who founded a one-man outlet, reNews, after losing his job at Stand News nearly four years ago. Stand News was forced to shut down in December 2021, following the arrest of its top editors and a police raid. Lam told Nikkei Asia that he 'strikes a balance between caution and conviction' when reporting. He said he would review past court rulings to 'avoid crossing red lines' but would not self-censor. Hong Kong has plummeted in international press freedom indices since the onset of the 2020 and 2024 security laws. Watchdogs cite the arrest and jailing of journalists, raids on newsrooms and the closure of around 10 media outlets including Apple Daily, Stand News and Citizen News. Over 1,000 journalists have lost their jobs, whilst many have emigrated. Meanwhile, the city's government-funded broadcaster RTHK has adopted new editorial guidelines, purged its archives and axed news and satirical shows. In 2022, Chief Executive John Lee said press freedom was 'in the pocket' of Hongkongers but 'nobody is above the law.' Although he has told the press to ' tell a good Hong Kong story,' government departments have been reluctant to respond to story pitches.
