Three years after the National Security Law for Hong Kong (NSL) came into effect, the Hong Kong Police Force’s National Security Department announced on Monday a reward of HK$1 million (US$127,900) for information leading to the arrest of each of eight fugitives wanted for endangering national security after the court approved the issuance of arrest warrants against them.
On the wanted list are former legislators Dennis Kwok Wing-hang, Ted Hui Chi-fung and Nathan Law Kwun-chung, former convener of Progressive Lawyers Group Kevin Yam Kin-fung, organizer of “Hong Kong Parliament” Elmer Yuan Gong-yi, core member of a separatist group Finn Lau Cho-dik, executive director of the “Hong Kong Democracy Council” Anna Kwok Fung-yee, and chief executive of the disbanded Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions Mung Siu-tat.
Members of the Hong Kong community generally applauded the police’s move, except for a few who suggested that stricter enforcement of the NSL could drive more people to leave Hong Kong.
Of course, the hostile elements lurking in the dark, including spies dispatched by the US and the West, must be rattled.
It was unsurprising to see the US and the UK governments jump to the defense of these eight fugitives, with most of them now taking refuge in these two countries. That the national security offenders were offered a safe haven in the US and the UK suggests that they remain a major threat to national security defense in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, therefore, must not relax enforcement of the NSL for fear of aggravating emigration.
Washington and London have painstakingly built their secret operations in Hong Kong over the years, wielding considerable influence in the city.
In May of this year, John Leung Shing-wan, a US passport holder and Hong Kong permanent resident, was sentenced to life imprisonment for espionage activities in the Chinese mainland. Leung’s case reminded the Hong Kong authorities of the potential threats posed by subversive forces.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has indicated that the HKSAR government will speed up legislation according to Article 23 of the Basic Law, which will include anti-espionage provisions. This is an imperative step to cope with potential challenges to national security in Hong Kong
It is widely known that US and British intelligence agencies have established strongholds in Hong Kong to assist their spying operations on China.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has indicated that the HKSAR government will speed up legislation according to Article 23 of the Basic Law, which will include anti-espionage provisions. This is an imperative step to cope with potential challenges to national security in Hong Kong.
At the same time as the wanted list was announced, it was reported that Zhou Ji, deputy secretary of the CPC Henan Provincial Committee and secretary of the Commission of Political and Legal Affairs of the province, will be promoted to deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council.
Zhou’s career experience is of little relevance to Hong Kong and Macao affairs, his promotion indicates the central government is taking national security seriously in the two SARs.
As the paradigm shift in global governance continues to unfold, we are witnessing the deterioration of Sino-US relations, an escalating military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.
The following episodes attest to the strain that Sino-US relations are currently undergoing.
First, during the 20th International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue in June, Singapore’s Minister of Defense Ng Eng Hen remarked: “Both the US and China have said that they do not want our countries, ASEAN countries, to take sides. But as ASEAN member states, with a vivid recollection of great power rivalry in our past and the devastating consequences, we are acutely concerned that worsening relationships between these two powers, the US and China, will inevitably force difficult choices upon our individual states.”
Second, after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrapped up a two-day visit to China on June 19, the press release from the Chinese side did not use the word “substantive” to describe the relevant meetings.
Third, when President Xi Jinping met with US business magnate Bill Gates at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing the same month, he stressed that the foundation of China-US relations lies in the people and said he hoped for an enduring friendship between the peoples of the two countries.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the US from June 20 to 23, during which he signed military, technological, and economic and trade cooperation agreements with US President Joe Biden.
That Washington is stepping up efforts to bring New Delhi into its fold does not bode well for Sino-US relations.
Although US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s trip to China could serve as a buffer, we still need to be on guard against potential political storms likely to be created by the US and the UK through their local pawns.
The author is a senior research fellow of China Everbright Holdings.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.