Chloe Cheung: 'The fact that there's a bounty on my head haunts me every day'

The Hong Kong authorities have put a bounty of 1 million Hong Kong dollars (about EUR 116,500) on your head. You are the latest activist outside Hong Kong to be targeted in this way. What led to this?

I got involved in the pro-democracy movement at the age of 14 and took part in the protests in 2019. During one of the demonstrations, my name was recorded by the police, which directly put me in danger. After the introduction of the National Security Law, my family and I no longer felt safe in Hong Kong. So we made the difficult decision to flee to the UK in August 2020. The bounty was then suspended partly due to social media posts related to my work with the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, which I had started in exile.

How did you react when you found out that there was suddenly a bounty on your head?

When I saw the news, I was completely shocked. Friends, colleagues and family members contacted me, asking what had happened. I didn't even know how to explain it to them, because what I am doing is not a crime. I am just standing up for Hong Kong and speaking the truth about what is happening there.

What exactly are you accused of?

I am accused of two crimes: inciting secession and collaborating with foreign forces. Basically, this means that even speaking to foreign politicians or media outlets like yours is considered a crime by the Hong Kong authorities. These accusations are purely politically motivated and are meant to silence activists like me.

Under the National Security Law, the situation in Hong Kong has worsened massively. You can now be arrested simply for wearing a T-shirt with a political message or holding up a flag with a protest slogan.

How has the bounty affected your life so far?

One of the most painful consequences is that many of my friends and family members in Hong Kong have cut off contact with me. They fear that just being connected to someone with a bounty on their head could put them in danger themselves. It's incredibly frustrating and isolating, but I understand their fear.

I have also received threats on social media. Some are even calling for the government to increase the bounty to create even more incentives for my kidnapping. It is frightening to know that there are people who mean such threats seriously.

I also have the suspicion that I am being followed. The feeling of being constantly watched is extremely unsettling. Although I am in the UK, the risks and pressure from the Chinese government seem to follow me everywhere.

Does this mean that you do not feel sufficiently protected in the UK?

When I first heard about the bounty, the Metropolitan Police contacted me. They said they were aware of the situation from the media reports. There is a protocol for such situations. They gave me a leaflet with self-protection measures and an emergency phone number. If anything happened, they told me to call 999. I found this support unsatisfactory – a pamphlet and a phone number don't solve the real dangers I face.

After speaking to media outlets such as The Times and The Telegraph, the Metropolitan Police contacted me again, visited me at home, and carried out a risk assessment. I appreciated this action, but it also made me realize that without the media attention, they may not have acted at all. My case received special attention because of my age and personal history – but many other Hong Kong activists don't get this support.

What are you most afraid of?

There are worrying incidents that illustrate what I am afraid of. One example is the incident in Manchester where staff at the Chinese embassy tried to drag a protester into the consulate building. Fortunately, the British police intervened and were able to free him. But what if they had not intervened? The protester could have disappeared and no one would have known what had happened to him.

In addition, there are hardly any consequences for such repression. If Chinese students attack Hong Kong protesters, they may be arrested but not charged. This sends a dangerous message: That people with links to the Chinese Communist Party – or even Chinese nationals in general – can do what they like in the UK without fear of serious punishment. This lack of accountability is extremely worrying.

What would you like to see from the government?

First, the British government should do more than just offer a visa program for Hong Kongers. The ability to enter the country was an important first step, but the key question is: How will we be protected once we are here? Many of us continue to experience repression in the UK – be it through the influence of the Chinese government, Chinese students, members of the Chinese community, or even spies.

Should the UK also impose sanctions?

I don't think it's about breaking off relations with China. Dialogue is important and it is essential to talk to China. But it must not be about simply doing everything China demands. It's about finding a way to negotiate on an equal footing and setting our own terms. We must ensure that the Chinese government does not have full control and that we do not simply accept their demands without standing up for our own values and rights.

What are your plans for the future?

At the moment I'm doing a gap year. The bounty has made many aspects of my life more difficult. For example, it might be more difficult for me to apply to university in the future. Many UK universities receive significant funding from China and we know that this influence can affect what is taught. Some professors avoid speaking critically about the Chinese Communist Party for fear of upsetting Chinese students and losing funding opportunities.

My career prospects are also affected. A friend of mine who works in banking told me that banks are reluctant to hire people who are too political. The reality is that the risks I now face are with me everywhere I go – they affect both my education and my career prospects. I never thought activism would become my main job in life, but with the bounty, I may have to advocate for Hong Kong in this way for the rest of my life.

Chloe Cheung grew up in Hong Kong and became involved in the pro-democracy movement at an early age. In 2020, at the age of 15, she went into exile in the UK. In December 2024, the authorities in Hong Kong issued a warrant for her arrest. She is accused of calling for secession while in exile and collaborating with foreign forces. A reward of one million Hong Kong dollars was also offered for her capture.