A British National Is Accused Of Endangering China's Security

Police in Hong Kong have charged a British national living in the UK of endangering China's national security and have warned him that he faces three years in prison.

Benedict Rogers is the founder of Hong Kong Watch, a non-profit that promotes human rights in the former British territory.

However, he has been warned that if he returns to the country, he would be charged with "collusion with foreign forces."

The threat, according to Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, is "unjustifiable." Mr Rogers stated that his organization will not be silenced.

"We will continue to be a voice for Hong Kong's people and those heroic political prisoners imprisoned under this authoritarian dictatorship," he stated.

In 1997, the British gave Hong Kong over to China at the end of a 99-year lease.

Beijing decided to manage it as "one country, two systems," giving it its own legal system, limited democracy with multiple political parties, and rights including freedom of assembly and speech.

In 2019, however, large anti-government rallies became violent. A year later, China enacted a harsh law punishing secession, subversion, and terrorism with prison terms of up to life.

Authorities have stepped up their crackdown, arresting a large number of activists and opposition lawmakers.

Mr Rogers had received a letter from police informing him of his crime, and if he returned to the city, he may face jail or a HK$100,000 (£9,800) punishment, according to Hong Kong Watch.

It's likely to be one of the first instances authorities attempted to enforce the law outside of the country.

The former colony's previous governor, Lord Patten, called it a "disgraceful example" of China attempting to suppress freedom of expression in Hong Kong.