US’s Blinken condemns Hong Kong authorities over bounties for activists

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has condemned Hong Kong authorities for placing bounties on five pro-democracy activists based overseas, including a US citizen,

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has condemned Hong Kong authorities for placing bounties on five pro-democracy activists based overseas, including a US citizen, calling on the international community to oppose “transnational repression”.

Blinken said on Friday that the bounties of one million Hong Kong dollars ($128,000) for information leading to the activists’ arrest showed Hong Kong authorities’ disregard for international norms and human rights.

“We strongly oppose any efforts to intimidate and silence individuals who choose to make the United States their home and will not waver in standing up for those who are targeted simply for exercising their human rights,” Blinken said in a statement.

United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Cameron earlier condemned Hong Kong authorities’ move as a “threat to our democracy and fundamental human rights”.

Hong Kong authorities on Thursday announced the rewards for information about Joey Siu, Simon Cheng, Frances Hui, Johnny Fok and Tony Choi, all of whom are wanted under the Chinese-ruled territory’s draconian national security law, which claims jurisdiction over the entire planet.