The Hong Kong government’s decision to put a price on the heads of two Australian residents has strained efforts by Canberra and Beijing to mend ties while further undermining the city’s reputation as a regional finance hub.
Kevin Yam first heard the Hong Kong government had put a bounty on his head from a Twitter notification.
“I knew if I was going to speak out I was never going to go back to Hong Kong. But out of the Joshua Wongs and Nathan Laws of the world, I’m not even a blip on that radar.” eight named at the Monday afternoon press conference by Senior Superintendent Steve Li, who works for the city’s national security department.As well as issuing warrants for their arrest, Hong Kong authorities took the unusual step of issuing a $HK1 million reward for information leading to their return. The collusion offence carries a sentence of up to life in prison.
The move has also further complicated a thawing of diplomatic relations between Canberra and Beijing. Foreign Minister Penny Wong immediately condemned the arrest warrants as “deeply disappointing” and Anthony Albanese later called the situation “unacceptable”. China’s Foreign Ministry accused Australia and other countries of harbouring “fugitives”.federal government negotiates an end to China’s trade sanctions.
Still, other dissidents who have long been targeted by China warn the two men will have to be careful about travelling to countries that have a history of exchanging information or even handing over “fugitives” to China. “John Lee can go and f--- himself,” says Yam, who jokes he was so moderate compared to other activists in Hong Kong during his two decades working there that at one stage the pro-Beijing camp tried to recruit him. Yam is still a member of the Hong Kong Law Society, but is now likely to be disbarred by an organisation he says no longer has any credibility.“Since this happened, some people have said it is a badge of honour.
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