Claiming to be yellow shops carries legal risks, warns Ip

Merchants should not claim to be members of the "yellow economic circle" as they could face legal risks, says Executive Council convener Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee.

Ip, a former security chief, said some "yellow shops" have sent food to support overseas tea gatherings, in which national security fugitives wanted by Hong Kong police continue to "brainwash" people.

Her comments come after national security police issued arrest warrants to eight activists staying overseas with HK$1 million bounty on each.

Additionally, police have arrested five former members of the defunct Demosisto student group on suspicion of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and committing acts with seditious intent regarding a "yellow camp" shopping reward platform that is believed to provide financial support to overseas fugitives.

Speaking on television yesterday, Ip said the warrants are to warn the fugitives' relatives in Hong Kong not to provide financial aid.

"The Hong Kong government understands the countries [the fugitives live] will not arrest the eight suspects for us. It's important to show the world that these people committed serious national security offenses because they are still lobbying foreign officials and politicians," she said.

Ip slammed the eight suspects for using democracy as an excuse to "brainwash" Hongkongers overseas. She said relatives and friends of the eight fugitives can continue to contact them, but providing funds to them may lead to legal consequences.

"I know some fugitives in the United Kingdom are very active and would hold tea gatherings at places where emigrated Hongkongers live. But, in fact, they continue to brainwash people at the gatherings and woo local politicians to impose sanctions on China," Ip said.

"People who send food to the fugitives for these gatherings may also be regarded as supporting illegal activities, so police have to launch investigations and stop these activities."

She urged shops and restaurants to stop claiming to be in the "yellow economic circle" in support of the 2019 protests.

"With all these risks, merchants should not call themselves 'yellow shops' as it will not help their business at all."

Ip added it is Hong Kong's constitutional responsibility to enact Basic Law Article 23.

"The mainland has its national security law and anti-spy laws, which are not imposed in Hong Kong so that the city can complete the legislation considering its national needs and social environment," she said.

"Many so-called democratic countries are also tightening their national security legislations by introducing new offenses. Living overseas also faces restrictions, I believe smart Hongkongers can understand that."

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com