Anthony Albanese condemns Hong Kong cops’ bounty on Australians

Anthony Albanese says ‘we will continue to co-operate with China where we can, but we will disagree where we must’.

Ted Hui, left, and Kevin Yam with Foreign Minister Penny Wong in January.

Anthony Albanese has described the actions of Hong Kong police as “unacceptable” after the force announced a bounty on the heads of two Australian residents, saying “we will continue to co-operate with China where we can, but we will disagree where we must”.

The Prime Minister said his government was concerned about the announcement targeting eight pro-democracy leaders, including the Australian pair, for extradition under an unprecedented escalation of Beijing-backed security laws.

Hong Kong police on Monday put out a $HK1m ($191,800) bounty for Melbourne-based lawyer Kevin Yam and former Hong Kong politician Ted Hui, who now lives in Adelaide, placing further pressure on Canberra’s already strained relationship with Beijing.

“It’s just unacceptable,” Mr Albanese told Channel 9’s Today show on Wednesday. “We are concerned about the announcements overnight that have been made. We will continue to co-operate with China where we can, but we will disagree where we must; and we do disagree over human rights ­issues.

“We continue to raise issues such as Cheng Lei’s unacceptable detention without proper processes … and will continue to put those arguments.”

Beijing foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning warned foreign governments not to shelter fugitives. “Relevant countries need to respect China’s sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong, stop lending support for anti-China elements destabilising Hong Kong, and stop providing a safe haven for fugitives,” she said.

“China remains firmly resolved in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty, security and development interests, in implementing ‘One Country, Two Systems’, and in opposing interference in Hong Kong affairs by any external forces.”

Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson raised concerns about Mr Albanese’s planned trip to China later this year. “I’m very concerned the Prime Minister plans to visit China later this year to meet President Xi (Jinping) and stand alongside him shaking his hand and smiling as if nothing has happened,” he told Sky News.

“I don’t think that’s something the Prime Minister should do without considering what message it would send while there are bounties on the heads of Australian citizens.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who has met Mr Hui and Mr Yam, said the government was “deeply disappointed” by the arrest warrants.

The group of eight accused people include democracy activists, former MPs and civic leaders, who live in Britain, the US, Canada and Australia.

The security laws ban acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with ­foreign forces, and were imposed under instructions from Beijing after months of protests in 2019.