The Commissioner’s Office of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region condemned Australian authorities on Wednesday for endorsing forces seeking to undermine China and the HKSAR and escalating tensions over cases involving two Hong Kong residents wanted under the National Security Law for Hong Kong.
The rebuke followed concerns raised by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong regarding anonymous letters and pamphlets targeting Kevin Yam Kin-fung and Ted Hui Chi-fung, both former Hong Kong-based politicians.
The duo, now overseas, face charges including inciting secession, subverting State power, and colluding with foreign forces.
According to a UK media report, anonymous letters offering a HK$1 million (US$128,700) reward for information on Yam’s whereabouts were circulated recently.
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Separately, pamphlets sent to mosques in Adelaide, South Australia, claimed that Hui supported waging war against Islamic terrorism.
In a strongly worded statement, a spokesperson for the Commissioner’s Office denounced unnamed Australian politicians for engaging in a “self-directed political stunt” and “blatant interference” in Hong Kong’s legal affairs and China’s internal matters.
The spokesperson accused anti-China elements in Hong Kong of orchestrating a “carefully staged farce” and criticized Australia for exploiting the situation to undermine Hong Kong’s judicial independence and China’s sovereignty.
“These actions severely endangered national security, undermined Hong Kong SAR’s core interests, and crossed the red line of the ‘one country, two systems’ policy,” the spokesperson said, reiterating that Yam and Hui — both Hong Kong permanent residents — must face legal accountability.
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The office urged Australia to cease all interference in Hong Kong affairs, stop sheltering fugitives, and take concrete steps to support stable bilateral relations.
The statement echoed remarks by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokeswoman Mao Ning, who emphasized on Tuesday that Australia must respect China’s sovereignty and Hong Kong’s rule of law to ensure sustainable ties.
In a written response to China Daily, the HKSAR government said that it does not issue anonymous letters and advised recipients overseas to verify their authenticity and contact local police if necessary.
It reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing fugitives under the NSL, including cutting off their funding to prevent further acts endangering national security.
