Late last month a group of people, including the Hong Kong activist Andy Li, were caught by Chinese coastguards off the coast of Hong Kong. The group was reportedly seeking asylum in Taiwan, fleeing Hong Kong where a draconian national security law has been implemented by the Chinese government. Two mainland lawyers instructed by families of some of those detained have this week told media they have been denied access to their clients. “They said I can’t prove that the instructions I have came from family members even though I have provided my client’s birth certificate issued in Hong Kong,” the lawyer Ren Quanniu told AFP. Carrie Lam said the Hong Kong government had a duty to assist its residents caught up in situations abroad, and representatives in Guangdong would liaise with mainland counterparts.

Source: The Guardian September 10, 2020 09:55 UTC