Hong Kong activist says British police asked her to 'self-censor' in face of threats from Beijing

A former Hong Kong politician and prominent democracy campaigner has accused British police of asking her to "self-censor" and "retreat from public life" after officers asked her to agree to avoid public gatherings.

- Henry Belot Geneva Abdul

The request, outlined in a signed "memorandum of understanding" seen by the Guardian, has alarmed exiled dissidents who fear it may embolden attempts to silence criticism of Chinese and Hong Kong officials worldwide.

Carmen Lau, who moved to Britain in 2021, was asked to sign the formal agreement in March by Thames Valley police after her neighbours were posted letters offering a £100,000 bounty for information on her movements or for her being taken to authorities.

Thames Valley police requested Lau "cease any activity that is likely to put you at risk" and "avoid attending public gatherings" such as protests.

Lau, 30, is wanted by Hong Kong authorities for allegedly contravening the territory's national security law, which grants sweeping extraterritorial powers to prosecute acts or comments made anywhere in the world that it deems criminal. She also works with the Hong Kong Democracy Council, a Washington-based organisation dedicated to "raising international support for the advancement of its democracy and human rights".

Tony Chung, 24, a democracy activist who was jailed under Hong Kong's national security law but now lives in Britain, was also the subject of near-identical letters asking British citizens to inform on him.