The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has reportedly intensified its efforts to suppress dissent among activists residing abroad, employing a range of coercive tactics to intimidate and silence those who speak out against its policies. Recent allegations highlight the targeting of activists in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, where individuals have faced threats, harassment, and even bounties placed on their heads, valued at hundreds of thousands of pounds.
The CCP’s actions are believed to form part of a broader global strategy to obscure reports of repression within Chinese territories, including Hong Kong and Taiwan. Critics, including President Xi Jinping, have faced accusations of curtailing freedom of speech and assembly while enforcing stringent crackdowns on ethnic minorities, including Uyghur Muslims and Tibetans.
According to reports, 19 overseas activists have had bounties of one million Hong Kong dollars, equivalent to over £100,000, placed on them for purported violations of the national security law imposed by Beijing. Among these individuals, ten have sought refuge in the UK, with others scattered across the United States, Canada, and Australia.
The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation (CFHK) indicates that the tactics employed by Chinese officials extend beyond financial incentives for detainment. They have documented instances of digital harassment, physical threats, and surveillance directed at these activists. Chloe Cheung, a prominent figure within CFHK, shared her experiences after being placed on a bounty list, describing it as a 'nightmare' with profound emotional and physical repercussions. In her testimony to Members of Parliament, she reported receiving a continuous stream of sexual harassment messages and feeling followed by individuals she perceived as threats.
Cheung recounted, “The long arm of the Chinese Communist Party has reached into my life here in the UK, a place where I was supposed to feel safe. Instead, I'm constantly looking over my shoulder, wondering if I'm being watched or followed.” Her situation reflects the broader climate of fear reported among activists, who often find their families targeted by the Chinese authorities to compel them to stop their advocacy.
Reports from Amnesty International have indicated that diaspora groups advocating for Hong Kong's rights face harassment that includes online trolling, intimidation at community events, and threatening interactions on university campuses. They highlight the risky environment for activists, where even participation in protests can lead to being photographed or targeted.
Recent incidents have illustrated the lengths to which the Chinese authorities will go to maintain control. Frances Hui, an activist recently granted political asylum in the US, had her parents questioned by Hong Kong national security police, while the family members of other exiled activists also faced police scrutiny. Such actions reveal a tactic aimed at pressuring activists by threatening their loved ones still residing under Chinese jurisdiction.
Beijing’s influence has been palpable even in Western territories, with numerous accounts highlighting the chilling implications of these tactics. Ted Hui, a former pro-democracy legislator in Australia, had his assets frozen in 2020, and his story adds to the growing list of activists enduring severe repercussions for their advocacy.
The situation prompted responses from British politicians who are increasingly vocal in calling for stronger measures against what they characterise as aggressive intimidation tactics employed by Chinese authorities. Labour MP Phil Brickell stated that the UK must unequivocally confront Beijing’s systematic targeting of dissidents to protect activists within the UK from such harassment.
In terms of government response, a spokesperson from the UK government affirmed that coercive actions by foreign governments to intimidate or harm critics are unacceptable, urging affected individuals to report such concerns to police authorities. However, the overall sense amongst activists is that their safety continues to be jeopardised by a regime capable of extensive, cross-border repression.
The CCP has firmly denied these allegations. A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the UK claimed that accusations of transnational repression are unfounded, attributing them to so-called anti-China forces and asserting that China respects the sovereignty of other nations and believes in due legal process for individuals who violate its laws.
As this situation develops, the global community continues to watch how governments will address these transnational challenges posed by the CCP as they navigate the balance between diplomatic relations and human rights advocacy.
Source: Noah Wire Services