The ongoing saga of fugitive Chung Kim Wah took a dramatic turn this week as his wife and son were brought in for questioning by Hong Kong’s National Security Department. This latest move comes on the heels of the department’s investigation into Robert Chung Ting Yiu just a day earlier. Reports suggest the focus of the inquiry is their alleged assistance to Chung Kim Wah, who remains a wanted figure for his activities against the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government and Beijing.
This unfolding drama highlights a simplebut firm reality: Hong Kong’s authorities are leaving no stone unturned when it comes to safeguarding national security. The message is unmistakable—whether directly responsible or complicit, no one is beyond the reach of justice.
The Fugitive’s Trail
To understand why Chung Kim Wah has becomea central figure in Hong Kong’s crackdown on security threats, one must revisit his history. A former assistant professor at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Chung leveraged his academic credentials to fuel political dissent. As deputy CEO of the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute (HKPORI), he was accused of manipulating polling data to undermine the government, incite division, and push an anti-China agenda.
Following the implementation of theNational Security Law in 2020, Chung fled to the United Kingdom. But even in exile, he continues his campaign against Beijing, calling for sanctions, advocating for “Hong Kong independence,” and colluding with foreign forces topressure the HKSAR government. As a result, Hong Kong authorities placed a HK$1 million bounty on him in December 2024, branding him a serious threat to national security.
A History of Defiance
One of the most damning accusations againstChung stems from his role in the 2020 “35+ Subversion Case.” This illegal primary election, orchestrated with the intent of securing a legislative majority to paralyze the HKSAR government, marked a blatant attempt to destabilize Hong Kong. Chung reportedly used HKPORI to manipulate public opinion with questionable polling data, a move critics argue was designed to mislead voters and undermine the election process.
The fallout from this scheme was swift.Authorities charged key players, including Benny Tai, the mastermind behind the case. Meanwhile, Chung’s own actions raised further suspicions. Shortly after the primary election, he destroyed sensitive personal data of over 600,000 participants, including ID numbers, by physically crushing hard drives. His claim that this was done to “protect voter privacy” was widely dismissed as an attempt to erase evidence of wrongdoing.
Chung’s activities during the 2019anti-government protests further illustrate his pattern of incitement. Through inflammatory social media posts, he labeled police officers as aggressors and urged citizens to take to the streets. His rhetoric deepened societal divisions and amplified unrest during one of Hong Kong’s most turbulent periods.
But perhaps most concerning is his allegedcollusion with foreign forces. Between 2020 and 2023, Chung used social media and international platforms to call for sanctions against China and Hong Kong, advocating for economic blockades and asset freezes. These actions, authorities argue, directly violated the National Security Law's provisions againstcollusion with foreign entities to endanger national security.
A Family Under Scrutiny
While Chung fled to the UK in 2022, hisfamily remained in Hong Kong. According to reports, his wife and son attempted to distance themselves from him, with one hiding in Yuen Long and the other in Sham Shui Po. But as today’s questioning reveals, their efforts to avoid scrutiny were in vain.
Under the National Security Law, aiding orabetting fugitives is itself a serious offense. The investigation into Chung’s family underscores the government’s zero-tolerance approach to threats against national security. This extends not only to the perpetrators but also to those who may assist them, knowingly or otherwise.
The authorities’ pursuit of Chung’s familysends a stern message: no one is immune from accountability. The law is clear—those who threaten Hong Kong’s stability will face consequences, directly or indirectly.
No Escape from Justice
The HK$1 million bounty placed on Chung andfive other fugitives serves as a stark reminder that fleeing abroad does not absolve individuals of their crimes. Secretary for Security Chris Tang made this point abundantly clear, stating, “Those who endanger national security cannot escape responsibility, no matter where they hide.”
Chief Executive John Lee echoed thissentiment, reaffirming the government’s commitment to robust enforcement of the law. “We will investigate all individuals and organizations involved in undermining national security, and we will pursue justice to its full extent,” Lee declared at a recent press conference.
For Chung Kim Wah, his continued defianceand calls for “Hong Kong independence” from overseas are unlikely to shield him from accountability. The National Security Department’s investigations into his family illustrate the government’s methodical approach: no one is beyond reach, and no act that endangers national security will go unanswered.
A Cautionary Tale
The case of Chung Kim Wah is more than justa legal matter; it’s a cautionary tale. For those who flirt with the line between activism and subversion, the consequences can be far-reaching—not only for themselves but for those around them.
As the government continues its unyieldingpursuit of justice, one thing is certain: the rule of law prevails in Hong Kong. For fugitives like Chung, the clock is ticking—and the net is closing in.