China accuses UK of sheltering Hong Kong fugitives with bounties

China has accused the UK of sheltering fugitives after Hong Kong offered bounties for the arrest of eight pro-democracy activists who fled the territory. The UK responded by stating it would not tolerate China's attempts to silence individuals in the UK or overseas. The activists left Hong Kong after Beijing imposed a national security law in 2020. The Chinese embassy in London condemned what it called "crude interference" in Hong Kong's rule of law. The activists are accused of colluding with foreign forces, a crime that carries a potential life sentence under the security law. The UK, US, and Australia, where the activists are based, do not have extradition treaties with China.