Exiled pro-democracy activist speaks out after former neighbours in Maidenhead receive 'wanted' posters

An exiled pro-democracy activist who is the subject of a Hong Kong arrest warrant has spoken out after her former neighbours in Maidenhead received ‘wanted’ posters.

Carmen Lau, who lives in the town, was one of six overseas activists targeted in December warrants issued under Hong Kong’s national security law – brought in to crack down on dissenting acts after pro-democracy protests in the region.

In January, the Advertiser reported Ms Lau feared for her safety after a reward of HK$1million (about £100,000) was offered by Hong Kong police for any information leading to her arrest.

On Wednesday, February 26, residents in Maidenhead got in contact with the town’s MP Josh Reynolds informing him they had received ‘wanted’ notes concerning Ms Lau.

The posters, seen by the Advertiser, state Ms Lau is ‘wanted on suspicion of a range of national security related offences,’ including ‘incitement to secession and collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security’.

It also includes Ms Lau’s personal details and information about the reward being offered to ‘any member of the public who can provide information on this wanted person and the related crime or take her to [the] Chinese embassy’.

Ms Lau, a former Hong Kong District councillor, has been living in the UK since 2021, after arriving on a British national (overseas) visa.

Ms Lau said she first learnt of these posters from Mr Reynolds.

She said: “I was quite shocked because this is an apparent attempt of intimidation and undermining my rights as a person living in the UK. I do feel that my life is threatened.”

Mr Reynolds said: “We’ve been speaking to Carmen for a while, then mid last week a resident just sent us an email saying ‘I’ve just had this letter’, and a photo of the letter, [and] ‘I don’t really know what to do with it’.

“So that was when we sprang into action to speak to Carmen directly just to inform her about these letters that had been sent out…[and] speaking to the Government, the Foreign Office and Thames Valley Police.”

Mr Reynolds said his office had received 10 copies of the notes from residents.

“It’s just shocking,” he added

“Obviously we don’t know who sent these letters but the fact that these letters could be sent because there’s a bounty that’s been put on her head by China is bad enough.”

Ms Lau said that last month members of her extended family were interrogated by the Hong Kong national security police.

She added: “These transnational repression efforts intensified as the UK-China relationship is heating up.

“The Government should re-assess its strategy towards China and should not disproportionately compromise its people’s rights and democracy to economic interests.”

Mr Reynolds added: “They [the Government] aren’t being firm enough and forceful enough and it looks like they’re looking at an economic benefit they can gain out of China, rather than looking at the serious issues that are being presented through this and through other situations.

“They need to verify where these letters were sent from and then if it’s verified that these letters came from China, they need to call in the Chinese ambassador.”

During an urgent question in Parliament on Tuesday, Labour security minister Dan Jarvis said the Government is ‘deeply concerned’ about the bounties and reiterated that Foreign Secretary David Lammy has previously condemned them.

Mr Jarvis added: “The safety and security of Hong Kongers in the UK is of the upmost importance and the UK will always stand up for the rights of the people of Hong Kong.

“Wherever we identify such threats, we will use any and all measures, including through the use of our world-class intelligence services, to mitigate the risk to individuals.”

Ms Lau said she will be continuing her advocacy work and maintains her opposition to plans for a new Chinese embassy in Tower Hill. Mr Jarvis said a decision on the planned embassy ‘has yet to be made’.

The Hong Kong police and Chinese embassy were contacted for comment, alongside the UK Foreign Office.

Updated 1pm: A spokesman for the HKSAR Government, said: "The HKSAR government will not issue any anonymous letter. If individuals overseas receive anonymous letter(s) and need assistance, they can seek assistance from the local police.

 "As for those who have fled overseas and are suspected of having committed offences under the Hong Kong National Security Law, the law enforcement agencies of the HKSAR government will definitely pursue them in accordance with the law and take every measure, including cutting off their funding sources, so as to prevent and suppress them from continuing to engage in acts and activities endangering national security."