Foreign Minister Penny Wong described another threat letter sent to the exiled Hong Kong opposition in Australia as “condemnable,” as “threat to our national sovereignty” and “security and security of Australians.”
An anonymous letter, mailed from Hong Kong and sent to Ted Hui's Adelaide office, provided a colleague with $203,000 for information about his whereabouts and his family. It arrived days after China's foreign ministry accused the Albanese government of obstructing its domestic affairs.
The letter, which includes photographs of Hui and personal details, claimed he was “wanted” for “a national security-related scope including inciting abdication to withdrawal” and “conspiracy with foreign countries.” It is currently being investigated by the Australian Federal Police.
The letter also accused Hui, who fled to Australia via Europe in 2019, of leaving Hong Kong with $3 million in criminal revenue. Hui, a Hong Kong democratic lawmaker, has denies saying it is a “fictional person.”
Last week, Guardian Australia revealed that a fake pamphlet pretending to be from Hui's law firm was sent to the mosque, falsely claiming he was a pro-Israel lawyer who wanted to “war” against Islamic terrorism. The letter was mailed from Macau. The Union criticized the letter as “a crude attempt to weaponize anti-Semitism for the purposes of foreign intervention.”
An anonymous letter, very similar to the person delivered to Hui's workplace, was sent to Melbourne residents earlier this month.
Wong intensified the condemnation of the Albanese government letter on Wednesday, saying the issue will be raised directly with Chinese officials.
“The ongoing attempts to target Australian individuals are condemning and threatening the safety and security of Australians as well as our national sovereignty,” Wong said.
“Australia will not tolerate any targeting, surveillance, harassment or threatening of any Australian person by foreign governments.
“The Australian Government and our security agencies are acting to keep Australians safe, protect their democratic rights and support the affected individuals and communities.”
When Wong first raised concerns about the letter earlier this month, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Zedong accused the Australian government of unacceptable interference in domestic issues.
“Australia blatantly interfered with Hong Kong's rule of law,” Ning said. “China is sighing and firmly opposed.
“We urge Australia to respect China's sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong and to promote an atmosphere and atmosphere for the sustainable development of China-Australia relations.”
Hui said the letter sent to his workplace “listed my personal information, my law firm address and Adelaide residential addresses that are not related to me.”
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He said he was sharing a letter saying, “To tell the Hong Kong Communist Party that I am not afraid.”
“The more you press, the higher my profile will be,” Hui said. Of course, I take care to protect my family.
“I have notified the Australian Foreign Minister's office, and the Federal Police are in close contact with the Australian government.
“The federal police have issued statements, searched for evidence, traced the source of the letter and made me know that I will meet with me, doing my best to keep me and my family safe.”
When the letter was first revealed, a Hong Kong government spokesperson said it would not “issu anonymous letters,” but said it would “take all measures” to pursue wanted people such as “cutting funds.”
It is unclear who sent the letter, but the language coincides with the public appeal notice published on the official Hong Kong Police website. The UK phone numbers at the bottom of both letters are also linked to the Hong Kong police, who were contacted for comment last week.
Hui and Yam are being sought by Hong Kong authorities who allegedly violate controversial national security laws to clean up non-territorial authority to prosecute actions or comments that they believe are deemed criminals.
In 2022, Hui was convicted of absence in 2019 for his role in the democratic protest and sentenced to three and a half years in prison. Hong Kong authorities have accused him of “foreign collusion” in a social media post seeking international support for Hong Kong under national security law.
