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3w ago

Hong Kong Cancels Passports and Bars Financing for 16 Exiled Activists

Hong Kong invoked a homegrown security law to extend its reach overseas with measures targeting activists’ travel, finances and property.

FILE - A pedestrian looks at the police reward notices for the arrest warrants issued for eight pro-democracy activists living in the United States, Britain, Canada and Australia for alleged national security offenses in Hong Kong, Friday, July 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte, File)
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A British National Overseas passport, right, and a a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China passport are pictured in this January 2021 file photo.

Overview

  • On August 4, the Security Bureau cancelled passports for 12 of 16 activists wanted over their links to an unofficial “Hong Kong Parliament” abroad.
  • It barred individuals and organizations from providing financial support, leasing property or entering joint ventures with the activists under penalties of up to seven years in prison.
  • The action builds on July’s arrest warrants and bounties ranging from HK$200,000 to HK$1 million for information leading to their detention.
  • The activists are reported to be based in the U.K., U.S., Canada, Germany, Australia, Thailand and Taiwan, according to the government statement.
  • The moves prompted U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to condemn what he called transnational repression, while China’s Foreign Ministry insisted the measures are legitimate.