The United States has criticized hong kong authorities for isissuing arrest warrants for 19 pro-deemocracy activists basically overseas. The move marks the large number of Such Warrants Issued under the City’s National Security Law. The activity is accused of subversion for their involvement in an unofficial group know as the “Hong Kong Parliament”.
Hong Kong Police Allege That The Group Aimed to Challenge The Authority of the Chinese and Hong Kong Governments. Several of the individuals are already subject to Earllier Warrants, and Police Say Further Action May Follow.
Why are the arrest warrants been?
The 19 Individuals are accused of being involved in the “Hong Kong Parliament”, an unofficial pro-deemocracy group that authorities claim south to subvert state power. The group is said to have organized a mock elections and promoted the idea of self-determination for hong kong, including plans to Draft a new constitution.
The hong kong police alleg that these activities were attaches to unlawfully overthrow the government. The charges fall under the national security law imposed by beijing in 2020 following Large-Sscale protests in 2019.
Police Said Anyone Supporting, Funding or Participating in the Group Could Also face Legal Consequency.
Who has been named?
Gong those named are Businessman Elmer Yueen, Political Commentator Victor HO, and Activists Johnny Fok and Tony Choi. This four was already subject to previous arrest warrants, Each carrying a reward of HK $ 1 million (approximately £ 95,000).
The other 15 independent new warrants are also exparating HK $ 200,000 (£ 19,000) for information leding to their arrests. Some of them were reportedly involved in organizing or running in the unofficial elections, or taking oaths as councillors of the unofficial “parliament”.
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One of those listed, feng chongyi, a professor at the university of technology sydney, dismissed the allegations. “They got the power, they have got the influence overseas..they want to control everything elseas,” He Told The Guardian.
Us and allies respond
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Told Reuters: “We will not tolerate the hong kong government’s attempts to apply its National Security Laws to Silence or Intimidate Americans or anyone on us soil.” He also said the move showed how the hong king “Continues to erode the autonomy that beijing itself promised to the people of Hong Kong Following the 1997 Handover”.
The uk’s foreign and home secretaries issued a Joint Statement, quoted in The GuardianCalling the warrants “Another Example of Transnational Repression” and saying they Damaged Hong Kong’s International Standing. “The uk will not tolerate Atempts by foreign government to coerce, intimidate, harass or harm their critics overseas,” they said.
Australia Strongly objects to Hong Kong Kong Authorities Issuing Arrest Warrants for Pro-Deemocracy Advocates in Australia. Freedom of expression and assembly are essential to our democracy.
– Senator Penny Wong (@Senatorwong) July 26, 2025
Australia’s foreign minister penny wong also objected, writing on x that “Freedom of expression and assembly is essential to our democracy”. She added: “We have consistently expressed our strong objects to china and hong kong on the broad and extraritorritarian application of Hong Kong’s National Security Legislation, and we will be so so so so.”
Beijing defends move
In response to the criticism, China’s embassy in the Uk Said the British government was interfering in internal affairs. “China Urges the Uk to Abandon Its Colonial Mentality, Stop Interfering in Hong Kong Affairs and Stop Shielding Criminals,” It said in a state quoted by The Guardian.
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Hong Kong Police Reminded The Public That National Security Offness Carry Extratorritorial Effect. In a statement, they said those who turn themslves in or help invitation on may have consider for reduced punishment.
(With inputs from the Guardian and Reuters)