Hong Kong activist Elmer Yuen maintains a positive outlook despite being targeted for arrest by the region’s authorities. Yuen, a venture capitalist residing in Los Angeles, confidently expressed that he does not feel threatened. He even went as far as to say that Chinese President Xi Jinping is more afraid than he is. Along with Yuen, there are seven other pro-democracy advocates, including Nathan Law, Ted Hui, Dennis Kwok, Kevin Yam, Mung Siu-tat, Finn Lau, and Anna Kwok, who are being pursued by Hong Kong. Despite residing abroad in countries such as the United States, Britain, and Australia, these activists face consequences for opposing the national security law.
The national security law allows Chinese authorities to operate in Hong Kong, and it attempts to criminalize actions outside the city, framing criticism or dissent from abroad as a crime. Furthermore, the law defines four specific offenses that target dissidents of the Communist Party of China (CCP). These offenses include advocating for Hong Kong’s independence, subversion of state power, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces.
Article 38 of the law states that individuals around the world can be charged, though extradition cooperation is necessary from other countries. Despite this, experts express concerns about the extraterritorial imposition of the law. Jeff Nankivell, President and CEO of the Asian Pacific Foundation of Canada, notes that worst fears have become a reality since the law’s implementation. Nankivell, a former consul general for Canada in Hong Kong, emphasizes the political nature of extradition requests and believes that countries such as the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia would not comply.
Hong Kong police have offered a cash reward for information leading to the arrests of these activists. Yuen believes this highlights the need for countries like Canada, which have suspended extradition treaties with Hong Kong, to cancel them completely. There are concerns that countries with a friendly relationship with China, including those in the Middle East, Africa, Myanmar, and Thailand, may carry out extraditions due to the financial ties they have with China.
Furthermore, experts warn that China may employ coercion tactics or intimidate the activists’ families to achieve its agenda. This is a cause for concern in Canada, as one of the activists, Dennis Kwok, has ties to the country. Canada has experienced similar intimidation from China with the detention of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor in response to the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou.
While Canada has denounced the issuance of arrest warrants, the country has not officially terminated the extradition treaty or taken measures to prevent future governments from reinstating it. Elmer Yuen remains steadfast in his fight for freedom in Hong Kong, emphasizing the need to take a stand against oppressive forces.
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