The detention of Hui’s parents is seen as part of a broader campaign by the Chinese Communist Party to intimidate and silence overseas activists. 

By Sam Cooper | The Bureau

Summary

Hong Kong’s national security police detained the parents of U.S.-based activist Frances Hui for questioning a week after issuing an arrest warrant and offering a HK$1 million bounty for their daughter’s capture.

Frances Hui was the first high-profile Hong Kong activist to be granted asylum in the U.S., and is one of 19 activists wanted by Hong Kong police for alleged national security offences. The choir girl-turned-democracy activist faces a HK$1 million bounty for information leading to her capture abroad.

The detention of Hui’s parents is seen as part of a broader campaign by the Chinese Communist Party to intimidate and silence overseas activists. This action—a deeply alarming escalation of transnational repression—sends a chilling message to diaspora communities and democracy advocates worldwide.

Hui condemned the detainment of her parents for questioning by the National Security Department* as “emotional blackmail” and an attempt to intimidate and silence her. The detention occurred amid heightened tensions, including U.S. sanctions against Hong Kong and Chinese officials and a bill to close Hong Kong’s de facto embassies in the U.S.

The incident follows recent remarks by former Liberal candidate Paul Chiang, who suggested that Conservative opponent Joe Tay, wanted under Hong Kong’s National Security Law, could be taken to the Chinese Consulate in Toronto to claim a bounty. Chiang resigned amid an RCMP investigation into his comments.

The original version of this article is available at the publisher’s website here.

* The National Security Department serves as the national security law enforcement agency for the Hong Kong Police Force.