The UK government has strongly criticized Hong Kong for offering money in exchange for help arresting 19 pro-democracy activists now living in the UK. These activists are accused by Hong Kong authorities of subversion under a strict national security law.
On Saturday, Hong Kong police officially announced arrest warrants for the 19 individuals. They are accused of trying to form an unofficial “Hong Kong Parliament” that supports self-rule and writing a new constitution—acts that Hong Kong claims are aimed at overthrowing the Chinese and Hong Kong governments.
The UK’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper released a joint statement on Friday, calling the reward offers “transnational repression.” They urged China to stop going after political opponents overseas and confirmed the UK’s commitment to protecting Hong Kongers now living in Britain.
Hong Kong has offered rewards between 200,000 and one million Hong Kong dollars ($25,000–$125,000) for information on each activist. This is the fourth time authorities in Hong Kong have announced such bounties.
Meanwhile, concerns are rising in the UK over a government proposal to update its extradition laws. On July 17, the Home Office asked Parliament to allow extraditions to resume with Hong Kong, among other countries like Chile and Zimbabwe. Critics fear this could put activists at risk, especially since the UK suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in 2020 due to the national security law imposed by China.
About 150,000 Hong Kong nationals have moved to the UK under a special visa scheme since 2021. In 2024, Hong Kong passed a new Article 23 security law that gave authorities more power to target those accused of treason, sedition, espionage, or working with foreign forces.
Hong Kong, a former British colony returned to China in 1997, was promised freedoms under the “one country, two systems” model. However, many believe those freedoms have been eroded since China began tightening control.
The UK says it will continue to support the rights and safety of those from Hong Kong now living in Britain.
