Last week, Hong Kong issued arrest orders for 19 activists abroad, all members of a group called Hong Kong Parliament, which promotes self -determination in Hong Kong and the establishment of a Constitution of Hong Kong.
But Hong Kong alleges that the group is using illegal means to overthrow institutions in China.
Among the 19 is Victor Ho, a Canadian and journalist citizen based in Vancouver who works for the BC edition of Sing Tao Daily by Hong Kong.
It is not the first time that he faces an arrest warrant of Hong Kong, said Ho. An arrest warrant was issued in HO in 2021, and again in December 2024.
Ho said this most recent arrest warrant was expected.
He spoke with CBC’s On the coast Host Gloria Macarenko.
On the coastCanadian activist led by the new arrest orders of Hong Kong.
Victor Ho is one of the 19 activists abroad attacked by Hong Kong in new arrest orders for his participation in the Parliament of the Hong Kong group. He is a Canadian headquarters in Vancouver.
This interview has been edited by length and clarity.
Victor, how did you find out about this order?
I learned this message from social networks on Thursday night when I attended a concert in the center of Vancouver.
It is a bit strange feeling. How can a Canadian be loved by the Hong Kong government three times? The first time is 2021. The second is the last December: the Hong Kong government gave me a million dollar rewards of Hong Kong.
Are you worried? Are you, you are afraid?
No, because this is the third time.
The Canadian government approached me many times after the first time that the Hong Kong government looked for me, including the global Affairs Canada, including the CSI and including the RCMP. Even the Ministry of Public Security approached me. They had several information for me about my personal safety, about my immediate danger. They have a lot of information to advise me not to go to countries with extradition treaties with Hong Kong. They are trying to protect me and ask me what they can do to make me feel safe.
The police in Hong Kong have issued a new wave of arrest orders for 19 activists abroad, including some here in BC Ottawa is condemning the measure, describing it as a threat to Canadian safety and sovereignty. Michelle Ghoussoub of CBC.
What about the accusations here? Police say that their group sought to overthrow the governments of China and Hong Kong by illegal means. How do you respond to that?
In my opinion, that is inappropriate. And this is not in proportion. We simply express our will to organize a universal suffrage for the peoples of Hong Kong abroad and in Hong Kong itself. Then, a group of people abroad from Hong Kong try to organize in a style of basic democracy to say that the people of Hong Kong have the right to self -determination, their sovereignty should be honored. So we try to materialize these rights, only democratic rights. I don’t think we have enough power to overthrow the government.
What about your friends, even family in Hong Kong? How is life for them there?
Actually, I cut all ties, all connections with my family members Hong Kong last year. This was my suggestion to cut. I don’t want to involve them. I do not want the police to come to its doors and ask them many questions. I just cut the entire connection. Even by phone.
I have many relatives in Hong Kong. I have eight sisters and brothers.
I have not received bad news from my family members in Hong Kong. So far, so good. But I hope that they cannot find evidence of my relatives in Hong Kong because I left my original family in the early 20s. For more than 40 years, I have no very close connections with them, so they cannot find evidence to disturb my relatives there.
Why do so many remain, in the light of what you have described this afternoon? Why don’t you leave like you?
There are several reasons: due to financial capacity, due to their ties with relatives in continental China. Some of my older brothers have continental China wives. Therefore, the cultural connection cannot be easily cut into your point of view. Then I understand your situation.
I emigrated to Canada due to my career. I know the sensitivity of my career to a communist regime. They do not like journalists, so after an argument with my wife, we decided to leave Hong Kong in 1997 to play the safe.
The early editionJenny Kwan in Hong Kong Warrants of Arrest abroad
Hong Kong officials have issued orders of orders abroad for nineteen people, including Canadians. The NDP deputy, Jenny Kwan, has spoken against the previous iterations of the arrest orders, and joins us to obtain more information about the last round.
