Hong Kong Activist Raises Alarm Over CCP’s Intimidation in Taiwan

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Henry Tong has expressed serious concerns about the increasing cross-border intimidation tactics employed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) against Hong Kongers residing in Taiwan. Tong, who moved to Taiwan following the anti-extradition bill protests in 2019, was placed on a “wanted list” by the Hong Kong government on November 20, 2022. His Muay Thai gym was vandalized just three days later, a clear indication of the threats faced by activists in the region.

According to reports, Tong’s gym suffered significant damage, including the destruction of surveillance equipment and vandalism of the entrance with red paint. The Mainland Affairs Council Deputy Minister Liang Wen-chiang confirmed that two suspects from Hong Kong were identified as being responsible for the act. They had scouted the gym before the incident and left Taiwan shortly after. Liang described the vandalism as a scare tactic aimed at intimidating Tong and other Hong Kongers living in Taiwan.

Connections to CCP and Legislative Campaigns

In an interview with Liberty Times, Tong suggested that the incident was directly linked to the CCP and Hong Kong authorities. He had previously published articles urging Hong Kongers to boycott the legislative election, which may have prompted the government’s response against him. Following his placement on the wanted list, Tong noted that the vandalism of his gym was a calculated effort to silence dissent.

Tong’s experiences are not isolated. He highlighted that the CCP has previously utilized Taiwanese collaborators to threaten figures such as Lam Wing-kee, a former Hong Kong bookseller who relocated to Taiwan after being detained by the CCP. This time, however, the vandalism was allegedly carried out by operatives dispatched directly from Hong Kong.

The motives behind such intimidation tactics are multifaceted. Tong believes they aim not only to frighten him but also to deter other Hong Kongers from expressing similar dissent. He emphasized that the message being sent is clear: anyone who follows his example risks facing similar repercussions.

Escalating Repression and Surveillance Activities

The pattern of intimidation has escalated significantly over the past year, according to Tong. He cited incidents where unidentified individuals took photographs of attendees at private screenings of Deadline, a film banned in Hong Kong. This type of surveillance has also occurred at events organized by Tong, including commemorations of the Tiananmen Square Massacre on June 4, 2022, during which bomb threats were reported.

Tong revealed that Hong Kong entities have hired Taiwanese private detective agencies to conduct surveillance on activists. He shared that one firm engaged for this purpose was run by an acquaintance, highlighting how the CCP is attempting to exert influence through seemingly legitimate channels. Furthermore, he recounted an incident in October 2022 when Chinese tourists disrupted an event held by Hong Kongers in Taiwan.

Despite the presence of police protection, Tong criticized authorities for their reactive approach. He called for the Taiwanese government to implement preventive measures to counter such cross-border repression. He argued that these actions represent not merely vandalism but a serious infringement on national security.

As a response to the growing concerns, an official familiar with the situation advised Hong Kongers in Taiwan who encounter harassment or threats to report such incidents to the police. They assured that prosecutors and investigators would handle cases involving cross-border repression in strict accordance with the law, emphasizing the government’s commitment to not tolerate local private investigators or other collaborators aiding the CCP’s intimidation efforts.

The situation remains precarious for Hong Kong activists in Taiwan, as the CCP’s tactics continue to evolve. Without decisive action from Taiwanese authorities, there are fears that the intimidation will only intensify, emboldening further cross-border repression.