An exiled Hong Kong democracy activist remains defiant despite what he says are efforts by Chinese authorities to quash dissent since the enactment of the controversial new security laws.
Simon Cheng is a former UK consulate worker who was granted asylum in Britain after alleging he was tortured in China and interrogated about the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement.
Mr Cheng, along with five others, including prominent campaigner Nathan Law, is wanted on suspicion of violating the new national security laws imposed in Hong Kong, according to Chinese state media.
The Hong Kong Police Force has refused to confirm the reports.
“It was a warning to those people around us and who talk to us that if they keeping doing it, they can be a target as well and be accused of similar crimes under the national security law," Mr Cheng told SBS News.
“It’s to diminish our effect. That's the focus of it.”
The new security laws carry extraterritorial provisions that state anyone, including non-Hong Kong residents, can be charged. China says the law is necessary to restore stability and order in the city.
The arrest warrants issued at the end of July appear to be the first time authorities have used the laws to target activists living outside the city.
Mr Cheng described the move as part of the “psychological warfare” he believes China wages on pro-democracy campaigners such as himself.
“The news about the arrest warrants came from the top tiers of Chinese state media so perhaps there was an order from Beijing to Hong Kong police,” he said.
The 29-year-old was detained last August while on a business trip to mainland China and accused of inciting political unrest in Hong Kong. He denies that and says he was beaten and forced to sign false confessions while in Chinese custody.
Simon Cheng has been granted asylum in the United Kingdom. Source: Supplied
Dr Lai-Ha Chan, an expert on China at the University of Technology Sydney and a former employee of the Hong Kong government, says the arrest warrants are primarily to silence any form of dissent.
“I think for some people living in Hong Kong, moves like this will have that effect because what is now clear is that 'one country, two systems' is completely dead," she said.
“There is no freedom of expression anymore and so for people still living there, it sends a strong signal to them to cease all activities which promote democracy.
“[The move] is unlikely to have any effect in actually bringing any of those six individuals back, but it is definitely sending a message to other activists."
Eldia*, who fled to Australia after he was arrested and charged with rioting related to the protests in Hong Kong, says such moves by authorities are to be "expected" and that it reaffirmed his decision to leave.
The university student says he was arrested for being at the wrong place at the wrong time and has always been a peaceful protester.
“We have come to expect this kind of thing to happen and it has continued to ramp up with more arrests in Hong Kong this week," he told SBS News.
“This is why I left. I know there is no future for me back in my homeland. When I am here, I am less worried. Even if Hong Kong authorities do to me what they have done to these six people, I feel I would be okay because I am in Australia."
But he says he's worried about his family, who still live in Hong Kong.
“I have had to stop speaking to them. It’s hard but it’s the only thing that I can do to protect them from here.”
Dr Chan believes there could be more instances of arrest warrants being issued to people living overseas.
“There are many activists in Hong Kong who are trying to escape, so I think Beijing will continue to try to arrest people overseas in their bid to calm down the loud voices from overseas," she said.
"Those that are residing overseas probably feel that they can speak more freely, especially in terms of any critical opinions of the government in Hong Kong and China.”
Mr Cheng has spent much of his time in the UK setting up resources for Hongkongers seeking to leave the territory.
He is also working with other activists to create an unofficial parliament-in-exile as part of a push to keep democracy alive and send a message to China that freedom cannot be quashed.
“It’s based out of the idea that we will build democracy for ourselves. It’s not a very official authority, but just people based outside of Hong Kong who may vote for a parliament online possibly," he said.
“It’s still a raw idea but something we are developing."
*Name has been changed
