Detention of Hong Kong activists fuels tension between China and the US

An emotional appeal to find out the fate of 12 Hong Kong activists seized by the Chinese coastguard after attempting to flee has caused a new diplomatic row.

A family member of a Hong Kong resident detained by Chinese authorities wipes away tears during a news conference on Saturday in Hong Kong. Picture: Getty Images

The fate of 12 Hong Kong activists seized by the Chinese coastguard as they tried to escape by sea has caused a new diplomatic row between Washington and Beijing, after their families made an emotional appeal to the Hong Kong government to bring them back.

“These 20 days were very tough for us. We didn’t know whether or not he’s safe or alive,” said the mother of Li Tsz-yin, 29, who is among those being held in the mainland city of Shenzhen.

Their families have not been able to communicate with the detainees since they were intercepted on August 23, and lawyers have been denied access.

The speedboat Andy Li and fellow pro-democracy activists were caught on by the Chinese coastguard.

Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, said he was “deeply disturbed” that the activists “have been denied access to lawyers of their choice. We hope Chief Executive [Carrie] Lam’s stated commitment to protecting the rights of Hong Kong residents is more than just words.”

Morgan Ortagus, spokeswoman for the State Department, tweeted: “Legitimate governments do not need to wall their countries in and prevent their citizens from leaving. The arrest of 12 Hong Kong democracy activists is another sad example of the deterioration of human rights in Hong Kong. Authorities in Guangdong must ensure due process.”

Within hours, the office of the commissioner of the Chinese foreign ministry in Hong Kong issued an angry response. “The US side has no right to meddle,” it said. “We strongly urge American politicians to abide by international law and basic norms governing international relations, refrain from overreaching, manage their own affairs well, and immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs as a whole.”

Family members of the Hong Kong activists who attempted to travel to Taiwan at a media conference. Picture: Getty Images

Hua Chunying, a spokeswoman for the Chinese foreign ministry, tweeted: “Seriously?! Fact check: The 12 people were arrested for illegally crossing the border in waters. They are not democratic activists, but elements attempting to separate Hong Kong from China.”

The 12 activists were trying to flee to Taiwan on a speedboat when they were intercepted and taken to a detention centre on the mainland. They have not been heard from since. Some of the detainees face charges related to anti-government protests in Hong Kong, including Andy Li, who was arrested under the national security law in August.

Seriously?! Fact check: The 12 people were arrested for illegally crossing the border in waters. They are not democratic activists, but elements attempting to separate #HongKong from China. pic.twitter.com/bnoCVdjpgE

— Hua Chunying 华春莹 (@SpokespersonCHN) September 13, 2020

The Times