Law Society deeply concerned by correspondence to one of its Members
3 June 2025
The Law Society is deeply concerned by the content of correspondence circulating in respect of one of its members, Mr Ted Hui.
Mr Hui, a practising solicitor who has been a Member of the Law Society since 2023, is a former member of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council, and has publicly spoken out on what he views as China’s anti-democratic influence on Hong Kong’s political system. He is one of many pro-democracy campaigners who have been targeted by Hong Kong authorities for offending the National Security Law, imposed by the People’s Republic of China in 2020.
Mr Hui has publicly stated that the National Security Law undermines the “one country, two systems” agreement between China and Hong Kong, which was designed to protect freedom of speech and freedom of assembly in Hong Kong. The Society strongly supports a person’s right to express their political beliefs without fear of persecution.
The Law Society has seen a letter purporting to be from Hong Kong authorities offering a reward of HK$1 million ($203,000 AUD) for information leading to the arrest of Mr Hui, and any information about the whereabouts of his family.
The Law Society has also seen copy of a flyer, purporting to come from Mr Hui, that makes damaging and spurious political assertions about him.
The Law Society understands these letters have been circulated to various sections of the community in South Australia.
No member of the legal profession, or anyone for that matter, deserves to be intimidated, harassed, surveilled, or impersonated by any other person. The Law Society denounces these intimidation tactics used against Mr Hui.
The Law Society echoes the serious concerns raised by the Law Council of Australia about the National Security Law’s impact on the independence of Hong Kong’s judiciary, the restrictions of freedom of assembly and political expression, and the powers afforded to the Chief Executive of Hong Kong (the equivalent of the Premier of a State) to intervene in national security legal proceedings.
The Law Society also shares the concerns expressed by Foreign Minister, the Hon Senator Penny Wong, about the alarming nature of the correspondence.
Marissa Mackie
President
Law Society of South Australia