Hong Kong authorities on Monday cancelled passports and banned financial support for 16 overseas-based pro-democracy activists accused of endangering national security. The orders were issued under Hong Kong’s 2024 Article 23 national security legislation, officially known as the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.

The 16 activists are among 19 individuals wanted by police since July for alleged involvement in the Hong Kong Parliament, an overseas-based group that supports democracy in Hong Kong. The group has no ties to Hong Kong’s official legislature and holds little political influence. Three of the wanted individuals had already been subjected to similar measures last year.

In a statement, the Hong Kong government said that Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung prohibited financial assistance to the 16 individuals. Travel documents for 12 of them who hold Hong Kong passports were also cancelled, and the government banned leasing property to or establishing joint ventures with the 16 activists.

Following widespread pro‑democracy protests in Hong Kong in 2019, China imposed a 2020 national security law criminalizing secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion, each carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. That law significantly reduced public dissent in Hong Kong. The 2024 local law, enacted by Hong Kong’s Legislative Council, further broadened the legal framework.

Tang Ping-keung stated that Monday’s measures were designed to “cut off the resources” of those who “endanger national security” from abroad.

According to the Hong Kong government, those targeted include Australian academic Chongyi Feng, Victor Ho, Keung Ka-wai, and US citizen Gong Sasha. The individuals currently span a range of countries, including Germany, Taiwan, Thailand, the US, and the UK.

The arrest warrants prompted international backlash from governments, including the US, UK, and European Union. Authorities offered rewards ranging from HKD 200,000 (approximately $25,000) to HKD $1 million (approximately $127,000) for information leading to the activists’ arrests.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio quickly condemned the news:

We will not tolerate the Hong Kong government’s attempts to apply its national security laws to silence or intimidate Americans or anyone on U.S. soil. With this new round of arrest warrants and bounties, the Hong Kong government continues to erode the autonomy that Beijing itself promised to the people of Hong Kong following the 1997 handover.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun responded, “China rejects the irresponsible criticism from some foreign government officials against [Hong Kong] SAR government’s law enforcement actions.”