Hong Kong rewards five more activists for wasting time: why Zelensky’s wishes went unfulfilled in Washington

Hong Kong has issued arrest warrants for five more activists living abroad. Police in China’s Special Administrative Region announced on Friday that rewards of one million Hong Kong dollars (about 110,000 francs) had been offered for information leading to their arrest. Affected are Simon Cheng, Frances Hui, Joey Siu, Johnny Fok and Tony Choi.

In a similar move, Hong Kong authorities had already paid rewards in July to eight other prominent democracy activists living abroad.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron criticized the approach on Friday. “We will not tolerate any attempt by any foreign power to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities in Britain,” Cameron said in a statement.

In response, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said certain countries should stop “openly denigrating” Hong Kong and refrain from interfering in the special administrative region’s legal system.

After China’s Special Administrative Region passed a draconian security law to suppress the democracy movement three years ago, many activists fled, mainly to Britain, Australia and the US.

Observers at the time pointed out that the measures taken by Hong Kong authorities were unlikely to have any effect. After all, the countries where those affected now live have long suspended their extradition agreements with Hong Kong.

Critics of the measures complain that the premiums further damage the international reputation of the financial metropolis. The wanted posters of the mostly young activists hang prominently at Hong Kong airport and other border crossings. (sda/dpa)