In a dramatic turn of events, Hong Kong's national security police have detained the parents of Frances Hui Wing-ting, a US-based activist now wanted for her alleged role in opposing Beijing's authority. This crackdown comes on the heels of fresh sanctions imposed by Washington against local officials over accusations of "transnational repression."

On Thursday, police escorted Hui's mother and father to two different stations in Sha Tin as part of the investigation into their daughter's activities.

Frances Hui, who fled Hong Kong in 2020, is one of 19 activists facing bounties of HK$1 million for purportedly breaching the controversial national security law. She is specifically accused of colluding with foreign nations to jeopardize national security, having reportedly urged these countries to enact sanctions and other these punitive measures against China.

Last December, Hui's passport was among those canceled by authorities, making her case even more complex. In 2022, she secured political asylum in the US and currently works as a policy and advocacy coordinator at the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation—an organization branded as "anti-China" by Hong Kong officials.

Just earlier this month, the US ramped up its pressure with new sanctions targeting six top officials in Hong Kong, including Secretary for Justice Paul Lam and former Commissioner of Police Raymond Siu. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed these sanctions were a response to their actions that undermine the freedom and autonomy of Hong Kong residents, as well as repression of activists outside China.

In retaliation, Beijing has declared its intention to respond firmly to what it calls illegal US actions, viewing them as attempts to destabilize Hong Kong and hinder China's growth. A spokesperson for the Hong Kong government reiterated their commitment to uphold national security, vowing not to bow to external pressures.

This latest development raises serious questions about the lengths to which authorities will go in their ongoing crackdown on dissent, both in Hong Kong and abroad.