China stops refugees fleeing Hong Kong on a boat

THE Chinese coast guard has intercepted and arrested at least 10 people reportedly trying to flee from Hong Kong to Taiwan.

Authorities in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong announced Sunday’s arrests on social media yesterday, revealing that a boat had been stopped by coast guard officials.

Local media in Hong Kong said the passengers were planning to apply for political asylum in Taiwan, a democratically ruled island some 440 miles from the former British colony, which is facing a crackdown by Beijing on its own pro-democracy movement.

The South China Morning Post identified one of those on the vessel as Andy Li, an activist arrested earlier this month under the controversial national security law imposed by China.

It was not clear what charges those detained would face but, if confirmed, it would be a rare instance of Chinese authorities arresting Hongkongers trying to leave the city. They are believed to be currently being held in China.

In Taiwan, the Mainland Affairs Council in charge of relations with China said illegal immigrants would face criminal charges. However, it reiterated the government’s pledges to give “humanitarian assistance” to Hong Kong protesters.

Taiwan has already opened an office to make migration easier for Hong Kong residents and companies to settle there.

Hundreds of Hong Kong citizens have already sought refuge in Taiwan, with many more believed to be planning to join them after the introduction of draconian security legislation to quell months of anti-beijing protests.