Hong Kong Police Offer Rewards for Information on 19 Overseas-Based Activists

Strategic Insights -

Hong Kong authorities have intensified their pursuit of activists based abroad, offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of 19 individuals accused of promoting self-determination and establishing a "Hong Kong constitution." The police claim this group, known as the Hong Kong Parliament, is using illegal means to undermine China's fundamental system and institutions in the city and mainland China. The group's election, held through mobile apps and online voting systems, drew over 15,700 valid votes from various regions, including Taiwan, Thailand, Australia, the US, Canada, and Britain. The police have already offered a 1 million Hong Kong dollar reward for information on four of the activists and 200,000 Hong Kong dollars for the remaining 15 individuals. The investigation is ongoing, and the police have urged those wanted to turn themselves in before making further mistakes.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hong Kong police have issued arrest warrants for 19 overseas-based activists, accusing them of promoting self-determination and establishing a "Hong Kong constitution" through the Hong Kong Parliament.
  • The group's election drew over 15,700 valid votes from various regions, including Taiwan, Thailand, Australia, the US, Canada, and Britain.
  • Police have offered rewards ranging from 200,000 to 1 million Hong Kong dollars for information leading to the arrest of the 19 individuals.
  • The investigation is ongoing, and the police have urged those wanted to turn themselves in before making further mistakes.
  • Hong Kong authorities have previously issued arrest warrants for various activists based overseas, including former pro-democracy lawmakers Nathan Law and Ted Hui.
  • The moves against overseas-based activists have drawn criticism from foreign governments, especially given Hong Kong's promise of maintaining Western-style civil liberties and semi-autonomy after returning to Chinese rule in 1997.
  • Beijing and Hong Kong insist that the national security laws are necessary for the city's stability, while the US and other countries have denounced the laws as an erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy.

Statistics:

  • 19 individuals have been accused of promoting self-determination and establishing a "Hong Kong constitution" through the Hong Kong Parliament.
  • 15,700 valid votes were cast in the group's election, held through mobile apps and online voting systems.
  • 200,000 to 1 million Hong Kong dollars in rewards are being offered for information leading to the arrest of the 19 individuals.
  • Over two years, Hong Kong authorities have issued arrest warrants for various activists based overseas, including former pro-democracy lawmakers Nathan Law and Ted Hui.
  • Hong Kong's population is expected to see no change in the percentage of its population below 18 by 2050 according to a UN report from the 2020 Human Development Index (Source: UN).

Sources:

  • Hong Kong police statement, [no date mentioned]
  • Facebook statement by the Hong Kong Parliament, June 30
  • UN Human Development Index 2020 report