HONG KONG, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chris Tang Ping-keung, secretary for security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, on Monday exercised the powers conferred by relevant sections of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance to specify 16 overseas activists wanted for alleged national security offences.

The 16 persons are subject to warrants of arrest issued by the court for being suspected of having committed offences endangering national security outside the HKSAR. The Secretary for Security also specified the measures to be applied against the 16 relevant absconders by notices published in the Gazette.

The 16 specified relevant absconders are male Ho Leung-mau Victor, female Chan Lai-chun, male Feng Chongyi, female Gong Sasha, male Ng Man-yan, male Tsang Wai-fan, female Chin Po-fun, male Ha Hoi-chun, Paul, male Hau Chung-yu, male Ho Wing-yau, male Keung Ka-wai, male Lam Tony, female Ng Agnes, male Wong Chun-wah, male Wong Sau-wo and female Zhang Xinyan. All of them have persistently engaged in acts and activities endangering national security outside the HKSAR.

The National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force announced on July 25 that the above-mentioned 16 absconders and male Yuan Gong-yi, male Fok Ka-chi, male Choi Ming-da were put on the wanted list, with rewards offered in respect of each wanted person.

The 19 persons are accused of organizing, establishing, or participating in a subversive organization called the "Hong Kong Parliament" outside of Hong Kong. The court has, upon application by the Police, issued arrest warrants against these 19 persons at large.

Among the aforementioned fugitives, the Secretary for Security had already exercised powers conferred by section 89 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, in June and December 2024, to specify Yuan Gong-yi, Fok Ka-chi and Choi Ming-da as absconders and to specify the measures to be applied against them by notices published in the Gazette.

The following three measures are applicable to all 16 relevant absconders specified on Monday: "Prohibition against making available funds etc. or dealing with funds etc.," "Prohibition against certain activities in connection with immovable property" and "Prohibition in connection with joint ventures or partnerships with relevant absconders," while the measure of "Cancellation of HKSAR passports etc." is applicable to most relevant absconders. In addition, the measure of "Temporary removal from office of director" is applicable to individual relevant absconders.

"These lawless wanted criminals are hiding in Britain, the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, Thailand, China's Taiwan region, etc., and continue to blatantly engage in activities that endanger national security. They also intended to incite hatred through smear and slander against the Central Authorities and the HKSAR. We therefore have taken such measures to make a significant impact," a HKSAR government spokesperson noted. Enditem