By James Pomfret

HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong on Tuesday imposed bounties of HK$1 million ($128,728) on six more pro-democracy campaigners deemed to have violated national security laws, as well as retrieving those passports of seven more, in a continuing pressure on the security of the financial hub.

Hong Kong Security Secretary Chris Tang said the six — all based overseas in countries including Britain and the United States — were involved in alleged crimes of inciting secession and subversion. .

The six include UK-based commentator Chung Kim-wah, former head of a pro-independence group Tony Chung, and Carmen Lau, a member of the Hong Kong Democracy Council.

“As a strong supporter of nationalism in Hong Kong, today’s arrest warrants serve as a recognition of my cause,” Chung wrote on Instagram.

The move to add more names to Hong Kong’s wanted list comes as the city tries to revive its economic growth and international reputation after a year-long crackdown on dissent that drew global criticism.

Chinese and Hong Kong authorities have defended the clampdown under national security laws, saying stability had been restored after mass pro-democracy protests in 2019.

Tang said the six pro-democracy campaigners engaged in activities including giving speeches, social media posts and lobbying for Hong Kong officials and judges to be allowed by foreign governments, which endangers national security.

Some are considered advocating Hong Kong’s independence from China. Hong Kong, a former British colony for more than 150 years, returned to Chinese rule in 1997 and is considered an inalienable part of China.

“Instead of celebrating X’mas, it (Hong Kong) is taking an important step to promote a campaign of transnational repression,” wrote Anna Kwok, a US-based Hong Kong activist.

There are a total of 19 opposition figures on the city’s wanted list including lawyers Kevin Yam and Dennis Kwok, former lawmaker Ted Hui and activists Nathan Law and Frances (BCBA:) Team.

Hui had HK$800,000 of his money seized from an unspecified bank in the city, Tang said. Notices with black and white photos of “fugitives” were posted publicly including at Hong Kong’s international airport.

Seven “absconders”, including Hui, who is now based abroad, also had their passports revoked under a new set of national security laws known as Article 23, which came into force this year.

“They will become someone without an identity,” Tang told reporters.

($1 = 7.7683 Hong Kong dollars)