Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed concerns about anonymous letters sent to Australians offering a reward for information on the whereabouts of Australian citizen and Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Kevin Yam. The letters, which offered 1 million Hong Kong dollars for information, were reportedly mailed from Hong Kong and contained contact details for the Hong Kong police. Wong stated that the Australian government does not accept interference from other governments that could make its citizens feel unsafe and raised the issue with both Hong Kong and China, although there is no evidence linking them to the letters.
Yam, who returned to Australia in 2022 after the crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong in 2019, is one of eight foreign-based activists wanted by Hong Kong authorities under new laws granting them wide-ranging powers. Despite the offer in the letters, Yam stated that he will continue to live his everyday life and will not voluntarily return to Hong Kong until it is free.
Spokespeople for the Chinese Embassy in Canberra and the Hong Kong government did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the letters. The investigation into the origin of the letters is ongoing, and Wong emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and security of Australian citizens in the face of such incidents.
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