Hong Kong Activist Escapes to the UK Citing Intensive Surveillance by National Security Police after Release from Prison
Hong Kong pro-independence leader escapes to UK, defying police restrictions, to seek asylum Another pro-democracy activist joins the increasing number of exiles following Beijing's crackdown on the city
The ex-leader of a Hong Kong pro-independence organization announced on Thursday that he has fled to Britain to seek asylum, violating a police supervision order. Tony Chung, 22, revealed in a Facebook post that he had been closely monitored by national security police after being released from prison in June for secession under a strict security law. He also accused the officers of trying to pressure him into becoming a paid informant by exploiting his financial struggles. This move adds him to the increasing number of pro-democracy activists living in self-imposed exile overseas due to Beijing's crackdown on the city.
Chung expressed his fear of leaving his home, using the phone in public, and the potential of being detained again by national security police officers on the streets. He also shared that every encounter with these officers filled him with dread, as he worried about being accused of endangering national security and having to prove his innocence. CNN reached out to Hong Kong's Security Bureau, National Security Department, and Correctional Services Department for their response to Chung's statements.
Chung stated that he traveled to Britain through Japan after receiving approval from the police to take a Christmas trip to Okinawa.
He is part of a wave of activists who have left Hong Kong since Beijing enacted a comprehensive national security law over three years ago, following nearly a year of pro-democracy demonstrations that shook the city.
Critics argue that Hong Kong's national security law, which criminalizes secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign powers with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, has been utilized to suppress the city's opposition movement, reform its electoral system, censor its outspoken media, and weaken its once-thriving civil society. However, the Hong Kong government and Chinese authorities have consistently dismissed these criticisms, asserting that the law has aided the city in "restoring stability" after the 2019 protests.
Earlier this month, Agnes Chow, a prominent figure in the pro-democracy movement, announced that she had fled to Canada and would not return to Hong Kong to meet bail conditions while police investigate allegations that she endangered national security. In a move condemned by the United States and United Kingdom, Hong Kong police have recently placed HK$1 million ($128,000) bounties on several democracy activists living in self-imposed exile.
All of those wanted now live in the US, Canada, Britain and Australia, which have suspended their extradition treaties with Hong Kong due to concerns over the security law.
Teenage activist
Chung was a teenager when he first entered the political arena. In 2016, he played a key role in the co-founding of Studentlocalism, a pro-independence organization. The group disbanded shortly before the enforcement of Beijing's national security law in 2020.
During the massive and at times violent 2019 democracy protests in Hong Kong, calls for greater autonomy and even independence became more common, alarming Beijing. This led to Beijing imposing its new national security law on Hong Kong the following year. At that time, those pushing for independence from China were a minority on the fringe of Hong Kong's previous broad democracy movement.
Several months after the law was passed, Chung was arrested by Hong Kong police for secession under the security law. Reports suggested that he intended to seek asylum at the US consulate. In 2021, he was convicted and sentenced to 43 months in prison for attempting to divide the city from China and for money laundering.
He was released in June and placed under police supervision for one year.
However, Chung alleged that the national security police had increased their surveillance without cause, insisting on meeting with him every two to four weeks. They questioned him about every aspect of his activities, including the people he interacted with and the substance of their conversations.
He mentioned that restrictions imposed by authorities had made it challenging for him to secure temporary employment. Chung suspected that the authorities had become aware of his financial difficulties and suggested compensating him with informant fees.
Chief Superintendent Li Kwai-wah and Senior Superintendent Hung Ngan from the National Security Department held a press conference in Hong Kong, China on December 14, 2023 to announce arrest warrants for five activists: Simon Cheng, Frances Hui, Joey Siu, Johnny Fok, and Tony Choi.
Photo by Tyrone Siu/Reuters
The Hong Kong police have offered new cash rewards for exiled activists, including a US citizen.
Chung recently stated on Facebook that he has been pressured by national security police officers to join them, as he has had no income from work for the past six months.
Chung stated that in September, officers from the national security police proposed a trip to mainland China, which he feared may lead to extradition, prompting him to reject the invitation. Similarly, activist Chow revealed that prior to her escape to Canada, she was required to travel with authorities to the mainland city of Shenzhen in order to retrieve her passport from the police in August.
Earlier this month, the Hong Kong police released a statement confirming that they had returned Chow's passport to enable her to study abroad and extended her bail. However, the statement did not mention her version of events regarding her trip to Shenzhen.
