This file photo dated Aug 21, 2019 shows Hong Kong Police Headquarters in Hong Kong. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Agnes Chow Ting, who is under national security investigation in Hong Kong, did not report to police on Thursday, which was the deadline for her to do so. The police accused Chow of attempting to evade her legal responsibilities and vowed to fully pursue her in accordance with the law.

As one of the members of the defunct Demosisto, Chow was arrested on suspicion of colluding with a foreign country or external elements in order to endanger national security, and for her involvement in the social unrest in 2019. She was later allowed to go abroad to study on condition that she reported in person to police at specified times. 

After serving more than three years in prison, Tony Chung Hon-lam was granted bail in June, but still needs to comply with the supervision order of the Correctional Services Department for one year after his release, as he was under 21 at the time of sentencing

The police stated that endangering national security is an extremely serious crime. They added they will thoroughly investigate the matter and emphasized that no fugitive should harbor the illusion of escaping legal consequences by attempting to flee Hong Kong. Unless fugitives surrender, they will be pursued for life, the police added.

READ MORE: Agnes Chow’s decision to flee is an egregious betrayal of trust

On Dec 3, Chow, who is studying for a master’s degree in Canada, announced on social media that she had decided not to return to Hong Kong and report to the police this month, adding that she would probably never return to Hong Kong. 

Following the announcement, the police’s National Security Department (NSD) said Chow’s claim of jumping bail challenges the rule of law, and urged her to do the right thing before it was too late. A spokesman at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Wang Wenbin, also strongly condemned Chow’s irresponsible behavior in openly defying the rule of law.

Chow was arrested by the NSD on Aug 10, 2020 for suspected collusion with external forces. She was subsequently sentenced to imprisonment for other offenses, serving a term from late 2020 to mid-2021. Following her release on bail, as her national security case is still under investigation, the NSD imposed restrictions on her departure from Hong Kong under Schedule 2 of Article 43 of the National Security Law for Hong Kong.

Earlier, she had expressed her intention to study abroad and submitted university admission documents as evidence to the authorities. As a result, the NSD returned her travel documents and extended her bail until December. Chow landed in Canada in September.

Also on Friday, Tony Chung Hon-lam, who was sentenced to 43 months in prison in Nov 2021 for secession under the National Security Law for Hong Kong (NSL) and money laundering, announced on social media that he had arrived in the United Kingdom and intends to seek political asylum.  

After serving more than three years in prison, he was released in June, but still needs to comply with the supervision order of the Correctional Services Department for one year after his release, as he was under 21 at the time of sentencing.

READ MORE: Fugitives will be pursued for life, says HK leader

On Nov 23, 2021, Chung was charged with violating the NSL for his involvement in advocating the independence of Hong Kong on social media. He also sold game cards and sweatshirts with the words like "“Hong Kong Independence” printed on them via the Internet. Chung often attached a link to a Paypal account in his social media page, and thus received more than HK$135,000 ($17,000)  from his audience.

Contact the writer at amberwu@chinadailyhk.com