A 19-year-old pro-democracy activist living in Britain said she fears for her safety after Hong Kong authorities placed a HK$1million (£102,000) bounty on her head.
Chloe Cheung became the youngest Hongkonger to be placed on the former British crown colony’s wanted list when she was charged last month under the national security law.
And now, she has expressed concerns about potential kidnapping attempts by bounty hunters or Chinese embassy officials.
Cheung arrived in the UK in 2020 with her family after participating in protests against Hong Kong’s national security law, which critics say was designed to silence dissent against Chinese rule.
Chloe Cheung arrived in the UK in 2020 with her family after participating in protests against Hong Kong’s national security law
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Born after Hong Kong’s fateful 1997 handover to China, Cheung does not hold British nationality.
She was charged on Christmas Eve with “incitement to secession” and “collusion with a foreign country” over her work with the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, a US-based pro-democracy charity.
Despite repeated requests for security assistance, Cheung has received only a self-protection handbook from the Metropolitan Police, who advised her to call 999 if in danger.
“I thought they would come to my house and register my number so that if I call 999 they will prioritise it. But they didn’t offer anything like that,” Cheung said.
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Cheung was charged on Christmas Eve with ‘incitement to secession’ and ‘collusion with a foreign country’ over her work with the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation
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“I’m the youngest Hongkonger to be on the wanted list. I am a girl. I live alone. I feel like I am the easiest target on the list, which makes me feel very unsafe.”
Cheung has installed CCTV at her residence and carries an alarm and protection spray following increased online threats since being charged.
And she says her friends have distanced themselves, fearing they too could be targeted by association.
“They are trying to create an environment of fear, to tell other Hongkongers that they should be careful because they could target anyone,” she said.
And with Labour pushing for a “relations reset” with China, Cheung has warned that Hongkongers have been left “very scared for our safety.”
PICTURED: Hong Kong independence protesters in Chinatown, London, in 2019
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A Metropolitan Police spokesman said they do not comment on specific protective security matters but advised anyone with safety concerns to contact police for assessment and advice.
“Anyone who feels they may be in immediate danger should call 999,” the spokesman said.
A Home Office spokeswoman said: “Attempts by foreign governments to coerce, intimidate, harass, or harm their critics overseas, undermining democracy and the rule of law, are unacceptable.”
“We encourage anyone to report concerns to the police,” she added.
