I’ve been followed, beaten up and had a bounty placed on my head, all because I campaign for freedom
Last week, I spoke against the transnational repression of the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities in the British Parliament after the Hong Kong government placed a HK$1 million bounty on my head for any information that could lead to my arrest. My “crimes” include engaging in “hostile” activities such as establishing the pro-democracy organisation Hong Kong Liberty.
This week, there have been claims that a Chinese “spy” tried to enter the room in Parliament where I was informing parliamentarians about the situation in Hong Kong and calling for the British government to meet with me. I urged the authorities to try anyone who attempts to harm Hongkongers in the UK under British law, and bar British judges from sitting on the Hong Kong High Court. While I am fortunate the alleged spy was not allowed in the room, I am not surprised that this incident occurred. My fellow Hongkongers in Britain are not batting an eyelid.
Despite fleeing to the UK to seek refuge from the oppressive hand of the Chinese Communist Party, Hongkongers are followed and photographed on British streets. In June 2020, three men lurked behind me on my daily walk in the evening near my home. To see whether they were following me I stopped near a lamppost, only to be repeatedly punched and kicked in my head and right eye until a bone broke and I lost consciousness. I was fortunate to wake up and be saved by doctors and nurses.
I do not believe it was a coincidence that this attack came two months before the Hong Kong authorities issued their first arrest warrant for me under the National Security Law.