Latest news with #UniversityofTechnologySydney
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Hong Kong issues arrest warrants for 19 overseas activists accused of ‘subversion'; US reacts
The United States has criticised Hong Kong authorities for issuing arrest warrants for 19 pro-democracy activists based overseas. The move marks the largest number of such warrants issued under the city's national security law. The activists are accused of subversion for their involvement in an unofficial group known as the 'Hong Kong Parliament'. Hong Kong police allege that the group aimed to challenge the authority of the Chinese and Hong Kong governments. Several of the individuals are already subject to earlier warrants, and police say further action may follow. The 19 individuals are accused of being involved in the 'Hong Kong Parliament', an unofficial pro-democracy group that authorities claim sought to subvert state power. The group is said to have organised a mock election and promoted the idea of self-determination for Hong Kong, including plans to draft a new constitution. The Hong Kong police allege that these activities were attempts to unlawfully overthrow the government. The charges fall under the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020 following large-scale protests in 2019. Police said anyone supporting, funding or participating in the group could also face legal consequences. Among those named are businessman Elmer Yuen, political commentator Victor Ho, and activists Johnny Fok and Tony Choi. These four were already subject to previous arrest warrants, each carrying a reward of HK$1 million (approximately £95,000). The other 15 individuals are also facing new warrants, with authorities offering HK$200,000 (£19,000) for information leading to their arrests. Some of them were reportedly involved in organising or running in the unofficial election, or taking oaths as councillors of the unofficial 'parliament'. One of those listed, Feng Chongyi, a professor at the University of Technology Sydney, dismissed the allegations. 'They've got the power, they've got the influence want to control everything even overseas,' he told The Guardian. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Reuters: 'We will not tolerate the Hong Kong government's attempts to apply its national security laws to silence or intimidate Americans or anyone on US soil.' He also said the move showed how the Hong Kong government 'continues to erode the autonomy that Beijing itself promised to the people of Hong Kong following the 1997 handover'. The UK's Foreign and Home Secretaries issued a joint statement, quoted in The Guardian, calling the warrants 'another example of transnational repression' and saying they damaged Hong Kong's international standing. 'The UK will not tolerate attempts by foreign governments to coerce, intimidate, harass or harm their critics overseas,' they said. Australia strongly objects to Hong Kong authorities issuing arrest warrants for pro-democracy advocates in Australia. Freedom of expression and assembly are essential to our democracy. — Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) July 26, 2025 Australia's foreign minister Penny Wong also objected, writing on X that 'freedom of expression and assembly are essential to our democracy'. She added: 'We have consistently expressed our strong objections to China and Hong Kong on the broad and extraterritorial application of Hong Kong's national security legislation, and we will continue to do so.' In response to the criticism, China's embassy in the UK said the British government was interfering in internal affairs. 'China urges the UK to abandon its colonial mentality, stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and stop shielding criminals,' it said in a statement quoted by The Guardian. Hong Kong police reminded the public that national security offences carry extraterritorial effect. In a statement, they said those who turn themselves in or help investigations may be considered for reduced punishment. (With inputs from The Guardian and Reuters)
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Chinese academic in Australia slams 'ridiculous' Hong Kong bounties
Find out what's new on ST website and app. The bounties issued by Hong Kong range from about US$25,000 (S$32,000) to US$125,000, depending on the individual. Sydney - An academic in Australia who was among 19 people that Hong Kong issued bounties for has criticised the 'ridiculous' arrest warrants and warned that the region was trying to exert its power beyond its borders. Authorities from the Chinese city announced cash rewards on July 25 for information leading to the arrest of 19 overseas activists involved in Hong Kong Parliament – a pro-democracy group established in Canada. The bounties range from about US$25,000 (S$32,000) to US$125,000, depending on the individual. Among those named was Prof Feng Chongyi, a China studies professor at the University of Technology Sydney. 'It's certainly ridiculous,' he told the Sydney Morning Herald in an interview published July 26. 'They've got the power, they've got the influence overseas, they want to control everything even overseas.' Prof Feng told the publication he joined the group as an academic. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Almost half of planned 30,000 HDB flats in Tengah to be completed by end-2025: Chee Hong Tat Asia Death toll climbs as Thai-Cambodia clashes continue despite calls for ceasefire Multimedia Lights dimmed at South-east Asia's scam hub but 'pig butchering' continues Singapore Black belt in taekwondo, Grade 8 in piano: S'pore teen excels despite condition that limits movements Asia Where's Jho Low? Looking for 1MDB fugitive at a Shanghai luxury estate Asia Thousands rally in downtown Kuala Lumpur calling for the resignation of PM Anwar Life SG60 F&B icons: Honouring 14 heritage brands that have never lost their charm Business Can STI continue its defiant climb in second half of 2025? 'I feel very sad, I'm extremely upset that the autonomous Hong Kong has been destroyed,' he added. 'It's unbearable for me.' 'Hong Kong was such a beautiful, dynamic place – the best part of Chinese culture, the combination of the East and the West.' The former British colony – handed back to China in 1997 – has seen political dissent quashed since Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law in 2020 following huge and at times violent pro-democracy protests. Prof Feng, who has conducted research into China's pro-democracy groups, was detained for a week in China in 2017. At the time, his lawyer said he was 'suspected of harming national security and could not leave China'. The July 25 announcement of bounties was the fourth from Hong Kong authorities, which has previously drawn strong criticism from Western countries. The bounties are seen as largely symbolic given that they affect people living abroad in nations unlikely to extradite political activists to Hong Kong or China. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on July 26 she strongly objected to the arrest warrants. 'Freedom of expression and assembly are essential to our democracy,' she said on social media platform X. 'We have consistently expressed our strong objections to China and Hong Kong on the broad and extraterritorial application of Hong Kong's national security legislation, and we will continue to do so.' The UK also condemned the move as 'another example of transnational repression', according to a statement from British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. The Hong Kong government hit back on July 26, calling Britain's reaction 'untrue and biased'. 'Those absconders hiding in the UK and other Western countries are wanted because they continue to blatantly engage in activities endangering national security,' it said, demanding that Britain 'stop interfering in Hong Kong matters which are purely China's internal affairs'. AFP
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Ridiculous': Hong Kong places bounty on Australian professor
An Australian pro-democracy academic has labelled a warrant for his arrest by Hong Kong's national security police as 'ridiculous', as authorities there pursue 19 overseas-based members of what they describe as a subversive organisation. University of Technology Sydney China studies professor Dr Feng Chongyi – who in 2017 was detained for 10 days while on a research trip to China – now has a bounty on him over his involvement in an unofficial pro-democracy group, Hong Kong Parliament. He is accused of helping to organise or participate in the largely Canada-based group, which authorities in Hong Kong say aimed to subvert state power under a national security law that China imposed on the territory in 2020, following months of pro-democracy protests the year before. Feng and the others are accused of having launched a referendum or run as candidates in the unofficial 'Hong Kong Parliament' group, which authorities say aims at achieving self-determination and drafting a 'Hong Kong constitution'. Hong Kong police said the organisation sought to overthrow the governments of China and Hong Kong by unlawful means, that they were still investigating, and further arrests could follow. Loading Regarding its 'election' process, the Hong Kong Parliament group has said on social media that it drew about 15,700 valid votes through mobile app and online voting systems. It said the candidates and elected members came from around the world including Taiwan, Thailand, Australia, the US, Canada and the UK. Feng isn't from Hong Kong, but said he had agreed to join the group as an academic. 'It's certainly ridiculous, it does not offend me in any sense … they've got the power, they've got the influence overseas, they want to control everything even overseas,' Feng told this masthead on Saturday.
The Age
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Age
‘Ridiculous': Hong Kong places bounty on Australian professor
An Australian pro-democracy academic has labelled a warrant for his arrest by Hong Kong's national security police as 'ridiculous', as authorities there pursue 19 overseas-based members of what they describe as a subversive organisation. University of Technology Sydney China studies professor Dr Feng Chongyi – who in 2017 was detained for 10 days while on a research trip to China – now has a bounty on him over his involvement in an unofficial pro-democracy group, Hong Kong Parliament. He is accused of helping to organise or participate in the largely Canada-based group, which authorities in Hong Kong say aimed to subvert state power under a national security law that China imposed on the territory in 2020, following months of pro-democracy protests the year before. Feng and the others are accused of having launched a referendum or run as candidates in the unofficial 'Hong Kong Parliament' group, which authorities say aims at achieving self-determination and drafting a 'Hong Kong constitution'. Hong Kong police said the organisation sought to overthrow the governments of China and Hong Kong by unlawful means, that they were still investigating, and further arrests could follow. Loading Regarding its 'election' process, the Hong Kong Parliament group has said on social media that it drew about 15,700 valid votes through mobile app and online voting systems. It said the candidates and elected members came from around the world including Taiwan, Thailand, Australia, the US, Canada and the UK. Feng isn't from Hong Kong, but said he had agreed to join the group as an academic. 'It's certainly ridiculous, it does not offend me in any sense … they've got the power, they've got the influence overseas, they want to control everything even overseas,' Feng told this masthead on Saturday.
The Age
7 days ago
- Health
- The Age
‘Cyclone underwater': Why the algae disaster could hit Australia's east coast
The harmful algal bloom devastating marine ecosystems off the coast of South Australia is the largest of its kind ever recorded in Australia and could easily occur on the east coast, experts warn. On Tuesday, the South Australian government announced it will match funding promised by the federal government, bringing the total package to deal with the deadly Karenia mikimotoi outbreak to $28 million. The outbreak of the toxic microalgae was first discovered in March on the Fleurieu Peninsula, and has since spread to the Yorke Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, Gulf Saint Vincent and Spencer Gulf. Beachgoers and scientists have documented a vast array of sea creatures washing up dead on beaches. An online citizen science project has identified 450 species killed by the bloom, with the most affected being Southern Fiddler rays. 'It's the biggest bloom of Karenia mikimotoi we've experienced in Australia, but [not] anywhere in the world,' said Professor Shauna Murray, a marine biologist at the University of Technology Sydney. 'There have been larger blooms of Karenia mikimotoi in northern China – it's been very problematic there.' What caused the toxic algal bloom in South Australia? SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said three factors had contributed to the deadly outbreak. The 2022-23 Murray River floods, the biggest since 1956, had forced the largest volume of nutrients from the Murray-Darling system into the marine environment for 70 years.
