Hong Kong national security police have issued a fresh round of arrest warrants for six people living overseas, including self-exiled activists, a former pollster and an ex-actor. A reward of HK$1 million has been offered for information leading to their arrests.
Police on Tuesday announced the arrest warrant against activist Tony Chung, the former convenor of the now-disbanded pro-independence group Studentlocalism. The 23-year-old is already wanted for breaching a supervision order after his release from prison – he was sentenced to almost four years over a national security offence and money laundering.
Carmen Lau, 29, a former district councillor and now an activist with the US-based NGO Hong Kong Democracy Council, and Chloe Cheung, 19, an activist with the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong, have also been wanted. Both are now in the UK.
The rest of the wanted are political commentator Chung Kim-wah, 64, formerly a pollster at the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute; ex-TVB actor Joseph Tay, 62, who co-founded the Canada-based NGO HongKonger Station; and YouTuber Victor Ho, 69, also based in Canada.
The six are accused of committing national security offences including inciting secession and colluding with foreign forces.
This marked the third round of arrest warrants and bounties issued since the Beijing-imposed security law was imposed. Last year, police issued arrest warrants for eight activists in July, and another five in December. Those wanted included ex-lawmakers Dennis Kwok and Ted Hui, as well as activists Simon Cheng and Tony Choi.
19 activists wanted
To date, there are 19 people wanted by Hong Kong police on suspicion of committing national security offences.
Steve Li, chief superintendent of the force’s national security department, on Tuesday accused the six recently announced as wanted of offences ranging from secession, subversion, and collusion with foreign forces under the Beijing-imposed security law.
“The six… have wantonly joined, or formed, organisations overseas and continue to engage in activities endangering national security,” Li told reporters in Cantonese.
Ho, who chairs a committee for organising a Hong Kong “parliament” in exile, faces an allegation of subversion. He is accused of attempting to overthrow the political system in Hong Kong through the overseas “parliament” plan.
The other five are accused of inciting the secession of Hong Kong from China through social media posts and speeches made at overseas events, as well as colluding with foreign forces by requesting sanctions against Hong Kong and China.
They had allegedly requested foreign sanctions to be imposed on Hong Kong judges and prosecutors involved in national security cases, as well as officials related to the Article 23 security law.
Lau and Chung Kim-wah had also allegedly lobbied for foreign governments to revoke the privileges enjoyed by Hong Kong’s overseas economic and trade offices, while Cheung had allegedly asked foreign countries to issue warnings about the growing risks of conducting business in the city.
Andrew Kan, deputy police commissioner for national security, said on Tuesday that authorities will freeze the bank accounts of the six newly wanted and urged residents not to engage in any financial transaction with them.
“Anyone who gives funds to these fugitives’ activities that endanger national security, such as by giving money on online platforms, could commit an offence,” Kan said in Cantonese.
Passport cancellations
Also on Tuesday, authorities announced the cancellation of HKSAR passports held by seven people wanted under the security law.
Secretary for Security Chris Tang on Tuesday invoked his powers under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance – known as Article 23 – and imposed a series of special orders against Hui and Kwok, the lawmakers, as well as activists Anna Kwok, Elmer Yuen, Kevin Yam, Frances Hui and Joey Siu.
The orders included cancelling their HKSAR passports and prohibiting the seven individuals, whom Tang declared as “absconders” in a separate notice on Tuesday, from dealing with funds in Hong Kong.
The orders also banned activities in connection with immovable properties and joint ventures or partnerships linked to the seven activists, who are now based in countries including the US and the UK.
Corrections:
20/3/2025: An earlier version of this article stated that Tony Chung served almost four years in jail over a national security offence. In fact, he was sentenced to almost four years, but did not serve the full term as he was granted early release. We regret the error.
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Corrections:
20/3/2025: An earlier version of this article stated that Tony Chung served almost four years in jail over a national security offence. In fact, he was sentenced to almost four years, but did not serve the full term as he was granted early release. We regret the error.
Support HKFP | Policies & Ethics | Error/typo? | Contact Us | Newsletter | Transparency & Annual Report | Apps
Help safeguard press freedom & keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team
latest national security stories
