Call for caution over fake news, as online claims emerge of pro-democracy figures leaving Hong Kong due to fears of military crackdown
- Tycoon Jimmy Lai, a vocal supporter of the camp, also said to be on plane out of city but source confirms he has not left
- Nathan Law earlier said he was furthering his studies in the US, while Claudia Mo is attending son’s wedding
Hong Kong lawmakers and commentators have called for caution over fake news after online claims emerged of several pro-democracy figures leaving the city because they feared a Chinese military crackdown.
On Friday a post on online forum discuss.com.hk stated that pan-democratic lawmakers Claudia Mo Man-ching and Alvin Yeung Ngok-kiu, as well as ousted legislator Nathan Law Kwun-chung and media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying had “fled” the city.
“When the Chinese army is coming, of course the pan-democrats will flee. Be careful, as Mo and Law have left suddenly ... Lai and Yeung are not in Hong Kong either,” the anonymous post read.
Lai is the founder of media giant Next Digital and Apple Daily newspaper, which is published in Hong Kong and Taiwan and known for its pro-democracy stance and colour reporting.
On mainland Chinese blogging platform Weibo, a user called “Siu Ting Lam” also posted several pictures showing Lai in the business class compartment of a plane.