Hong Kong Exiles Targeted with Explicit Letters in UK and Australia

Published: 11 December 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Sexually explicit letters and provocative posters targeting exiled Hong Kong activists have appeared in the United Kingdom and Australia, intensifying the ongoing harassment campaign against critics of the Chinese Communist Party. The incidents involve former pro-democracy district councillor Carmen Lau and former legislator Ted Hui, highlighting a new level of transnational repression using digital tools.

In recent weeks, Lau’s former neighbours in Maidenhead, UK, reported receiving letters allegedly sent by her containing deepfaked images depicting her in sexually explicit scenarios. The images, superimposed on the faces of other women, include nudity and simulated sexual acts. These letters also listed her former home address and personal details, with text inviting readers to “become close friends” in a disturbingly suggestive tone. The correspondence was posted from Macau, raising concerns about international targeting of dissidents.

This represents the first known case where individuals wanted by Hong Kong authorities for national security offences have been subjected to sexualised harassment abroad. Lau described the letters as terrifying and warned that female activists face particular risks in such digital campaigns. “I am a woman, and they threaten me like this,” she said, stressing the psychological toll of living under these threats.

In Australia, Ted Hui and his wife were targeted with a fabricated poster depicting his wife as a sex worker under the headline “Hong Kong lonely housewife.” The poster, distributed in Adelaide and emailed to Hui’s employer, included an address unrelated to the family and a menu of sexual services with prices in Australian dollars. Hui commented that the harassment of his wife, a non-public figure, was unprecedented and deeply troubling. Police investigations traced the poster’s email IP address to Hong Kong.

Residents who received the materials expressed shock and confusion. One Adelaide resident whose address was listed on the poster said: “How did they get our address? Why did they pick us?” The local police declined to comment on individual cases, but residents described feelings of intimidation and distress.

The current campaign builds on earlier transnational harassment targeting exiled Hongkongers. In March, Lau’s neighbours received “wanted” posters offering a HK$1 million (£96,000) reward for information on her whereabouts. Similar letters were sent to supporters of Tony Chung, another young activist granted asylum in the UK, and Kevin Yam, an Australian-Hongkonger lawyer under a Hong Kong arrest warrant. The sexually explicit nature of the latest communications, however, marks a significant escalation in tactics.

Neighbouring recipients described the letters as showing “graphic images of sexual acts” and noted that these materials effectively offered fictitious services. Lau recounted that the experience had left her uneasy in public, prompting her to wear a hat or mask to avoid recognition. She criticised Thames Valley police for previously requesting that she agree to avoid any activity that might put her at risk, describing the approach as inadequate in addressing the harassment.

The letters have been formally referred to police, though Lau acknowledged the likelihood of identifying the perpetrators is slim. Joshua Reynolds, MP for Maidenhead, condemned the campaign as “transnational repression without question,” urging the UK government to take decisive action, including sanctions against officials responsible for incentivising bounties on activists. He emphasised the importance of ensuring the safety of Hongkongers living in Britain and holding Beijing accountable for intimidation tactics.

The Chinese embassy in London reiterated earlier statements dismissing bounty letters as faked and claiming that exiled critics sought to destabilise Hong Kong. A spokesperson stated: “It is legitimate and reasonable to pursue wanted fugitives. Those anti-China rioters who fled overseas should surrender themselves to the police.” The embassy in Canberra did not respond to similar inquiries regarding the posters sent in Australia.

Thames Valley police confirmed an ongoing investigation into the malicious communications offences, noting that the images were digitally altered. A UK government spokesperson highlighted the importance of ensuring Hongkongers’ safety in the UK and encouraged the public to report concerns to authorities. The rise in these targeted digital threats underscores the growing vulnerabilities faced by political exiles and the evolving nature of transnational harassment campaigns.

The disturbing use of sexually explicit digital materials represents a new frontier in state-linked intimidation efforts, particularly affecting female activists abroad. Experts warn that such tactics not only threaten personal safety but also aim to silence political dissent by instilling fear across international borders. For Lau and Hui, the psychological and social impact of these attacks continues, revealing the broader implications of technology-enabled repression in a globalised context.