Australia slams reported targeting of citizen by Hong Kong

SYDNEY - Australia voiced unease on March 18 over anonymous letters reportedly offering hefty rewards for information on a Hong Kong activist now living in Melbourne.

Australian citizen Kevin Yam, a lawyer and long-time Hong Kong pro-democracy activist, was targeted in letters that carried his photo and alleged national security offences.

The letters, first reported in The Guardian newspaper, offered a reward of HK$1 million (S$171,500) to anyone who could provide information about him and the allegations or “take him to Hong Kong or Australia Metropolitan Police”.

They were sent to homes next to two Melbourne locations cited in the notices as being linked to Mr Yam, the paper said.

“The Australian government will not tolerate surveillance, harassment or intimidation against individuals or family members here in Australia – this undermines our national sovereignty and the security and safety of Australians,” said a spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

“We are raising our concerns directly with the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities.”

In a message on social media, Mr Yam said he would continue to live his “everyday life”.

“I will not voluntarily return to Hong Kong before it is free,” he said.

“I will not kill myself.”

China on March 18 expressed “strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition” to what it called “Australia’s blatant interference” in Hong Kong’s law.

“Hong Kong affairs are purely a Chinese internal affair and brook no interference from any outside powers,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular briefing, when asked about the case concerning Mr Yam.

“China urges Australia to earnestly respect China’s sovereignty... and create favourable conditions and atmosphere for the sustainable development of China-Australia relations,” she added.

The letters were not signed but asked for information to be sent to a Hong Kong police e-mail address used for tip-offs on wanted