Fled activist Nathan Law tops TIME's Reader Poll

Political activist Nathan Law Kwun-chung, who had fled the city amid the enactment of the national security law, says he would continue to speak out for Hong Kong after being named the world's most influential people in TIME magazine's annual reader poll.

In a social media post, Law thanked supporters, adding that the results showed Hongkongers' relentless passion for the city and their unwavering spirit of resistance.

“No matter what the future will be, I will continue speaking out for Hong Kong,” he said, “Just like what I pledged four years ago as the youngest lawmaker, I will use my whole life to serve the people of Hong Kong, but not tyranny.”

He also called for worldwide attention over the 12 Hong Kong people who were detained in Shenzhen after being caught fleeing to Taiwan off Guangzhou waters last month, saying he hoped they could return to the city safely. 

The former lawmaker took the first place on the TIME100 list – an annual compilation of the world's most influential people – with 3.8 percent of the 4.7 million votes cast by readers. 

Law is among the six "fugitives” who are being sought by Hong Kong police on sus.cion of breaking the national security law, which outlaws acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces to endanger national security.

Former British consulate employee Simon Cheng Man-kit, Samuel Chu of the Hong Kong Democracy Council in the United States, activists Ray Wong Toi-yeung, Wayne Chan Ka-kui and Lau Hong are also on the "wanted" list. 

The ex-legislator of the now-disbanded Demosisto revealed last month that he had fled from Hong Kong to London and that he would continue advocacy work on the international level.