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The Province
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Province
Scare tactic or dangerous threat? Hong Kong activists living in B.C. react to police bounties
Hong Kong police have offered a reward of up to one million Hong Kong dollars ($127,400) for information leading to the arrest of 19 people Alan Keung Ka-wai in Vancouver. Ka-wai is a pro-democracy activist who the Hong Kong government wants arrested. Photo by Arlen Redekop / PNG 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. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The local residents are Victor Ho, Elsa Chan 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. 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. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. '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 advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. '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. Victor Ho, the former Sing Tao editor, in Richmond in 2022. Photo by RICHARD LAM / PNG 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).' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 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.' With files from The Associated Press jmackie@ Vancouver Whitecaps Vancouver Canucks Golf Sports Vancouver Canucks
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
4 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.
