March 5, 2025 – Yesterday, the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) Foundation brought together five courageous women targeted by the Hong Kong authorities for their pro-democracy advocacy.

In honour of International Women’s Day on March 8, the “Hong Kong Women vs CCP Dictatorship” online event platformed the five women activists, each of whom has an extraterritorial HK$1 million bounty out for their arrests, despite living in the United States and United Kingdom.

Moderated by Shibani Mahtani, journalist at The Washington Post and co-author of “Among the Braves,” the panel featured Chloe Cheung and Frances Hui of the CFHK Foundation, Anna Kwok and Carmen Lau of Hong Kong Democracy Council, and Joey Siu of World Liberty Congress.

Broadcasting to a live audience of 500 viewers, the women shared their personal experiences of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) repression in Hong Kong and abroad, highlighting the alarming rise of transnational repression, which threatens to undermine civil liberties and democracy worldwide.

Anna Kwok, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Democracy Council (HKDC), said: “The bounties aim to split the Hong Kong community – they are a form of psychological warfare against democracy advocates. The chilling effect on families and friends is a tactic the CCP has been applying for decades on Uyghurs and Tibetans so we can learn from these other communities. It’s about acquiring mental capacity and understanding there are people willing to walk with us every step of the way.”

The panellists recounted the circumstances that led to their inclusion on the Hong Kong authorities’ wanted list, which in the case of Chloe Cheung solely comprised advocacy conducted for the CFHK Foundation on British soil and thus subject to the protections afforded to her under UK law.

Carmen Lau’s recent experience underscores the duality of transnational repression at work in Hong Kong and the UK. After helping to organise a protest against a new Chinese embassy in London, her family were taken in for questioning by Hong Kong police. Then, London residents received letters urging them to hand her in to the Chinese embassy in return for a HK$1 million reward.

Carmen Lau, International Advocacy and Program Associate at HKDC, said: “Our existence is resistance. People may think the emotions I feel about this are a sign of weakness but for us, as women activists, we are more resilient when we feel those emotions.”

The discussion also explored the resilience of Hong Kong women activists, who continue to speak up for freedom in Hong Kong despite being subjected to – often misogynistic – threats, harassment, and intimidation.

Frances Hui, CFHK Foundation Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, said: “As women activists we face unique challenges, not just the CCP but the patriarchy and gender-based violence that male activists will not face. Many brilliant female leaders in our movement embody great values and strength, including those now behind bars in Hong Kong, but just gathering here will have an impact in ways we cannot imagine. Your activism can prolong the movement until the day we achieve our goal – which for me is when I get to return to Hong Kong.”

The panel also highlighted how women’s role in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement has grown in the past two decades of CCP rule and the challenges women activists face.

Joey Siu, a member of the World Liberty Congress’s Executive Council, said: “That the CCP feels it has to put bounties on all five of us shows the positive impact we are having for democracy, human rights, and freedom. The Chinese authorities are terrified of young women activists doing impactful work overseas and not conceding space, not giving up. They are fearful it will encourage strong independent women activists within China.”

The women also shared how they continue their activism in exile, aiming to inspire others. Asked if she had a message that might inspire young women to follow in her footsteps, Chloe Cheung, CFHK Foundation Communications and Media Junior Manager, said: “I love what I am doing. It is not an easy path to take. But there will be lots of people supporting you along the way if you are doing the right thing. It’s exciting and you never know what will happen. We hope to see you all in the advocacy field in future.”