Running on Fumes: 'Hong Kong Watch' Scrambles for Cash as Support Dries Up

Over the past few years, a few "troublemakers" have been busy stirring the pot and provoking foreign attacks against Hong Kong. The most notorious of these is the UK-based "Hong Kong Watch." In March 2023, the Hong Kong Police's National Security Department accused the group of violating the National Security Law and ordered it to take down its website, and put its founder, Benedict Rogers, on the wanted list. Yet, the group operates with impunity and has recently launched a series of malicious campaigns.

However, just like other anti-Hong Kong organizations, it's facing a serious funding crisis. While it might be doing slightly better than the National Endowment for Democracy (NED)—whose funding has been completely cut—its cash reserves will inevitably run dry. In a desperate scramble to survive, "Hong Kong Watch" is now putting on a big show, pretending to fight the UK government's potential change to the BNO path to residency from "5+1" to "10+1," hoping to squeeze money out of Hongkong BNO holders who've moved to the UK.

The problem is, with the UK economy in the doldrums, everyone is feeling the pinch, and when it comes to donations, the sentiment is a resounding "leave me alone."

A Calculated Performance

Following a petition signed by over 100,000 UK-based Hongkong BNO holders, the UK Parliament was prompted to debate changing the BNO "5+1" rule to "10+1." On the eve of this debate, "Hong Kong Watch" staged a grand performance right outside the Houses of Parliament. Not only did founder Benedict Rogers show up to wave flags and shout slogans, but several hawkish MPs were also invited for "friendly cameos" to demand the government stick to the "5+1" policy. The group even roped in the last Hong Kong Governor, Chris Patten, to put on a show of righteousness and speak out for Hongkong BNO holders in the UK.

An observant source noted that this elaborate performance by "Hong Kong Watch" is directly tied to its ongoing annual fundraising campaign. The "5+1" issue is a top concern for Hongkong BNO holders who have moved to the UK, and the group is betting that if it can appear to "successfully campaign" on their behalf, any donation would seem like a worthy investment. Once the cash starts flowing, it can continue to stir up trouble and push its "international front" in the UK, Canada, the US, and Australia.

However, a quick look at the crowdfunding progress posted by "Hong Kong Watch" on its social media tells a bleak story. Its 2025 fundraising drive has so far managed to pull in a mere £6,503 (about HK$68,000), a far cry from its annual target of £50,000 (about HK$530,000). With a massive £43,000 shortfall, reaching that goal looks to be an incredibly difficult task.

"Hong Kong Watch" is going broke. Its fundraiser is a flop, pulling in just £6,000 of a £50,000 goal, and even patron Chris Patten's pleas for cash have fallen flat.

Why the Money Dried Up

According to the source, a key reason for the group's dismal fundraising is that one of its former major backers was the Conservative Party government.

A few years back, when the Hong Kong Police's National Security Department accused the group of violating the law and blocked its website, then-Foreign Secretary Liz Truss publicly condemned the action, and even Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a statement. But since the Labour Party took power last year, the political support behind "Hong Kong Watch" has significantly weakened, and its ability to raise funds has taken a major hit.

Furthermore, Trump's return to power has led to a massive overhaul of the US federal government. State Department-affiliated agencies that fuel "color revolutions," like the US Agency for International Development and the National Endowment for Democracy, have had their funding taps turned off. They've laid off countless staff, and some have even shut down completely. The "revolutionary funds" they used to distribute, directly or indirectly, to political organizations around the world have also shrunk dramatically, and it's believed that "Hong Kong Watch" has likely felt the impact.

The group's other fundraising target is the Hongkong BNO holders who have moved to the UK. While they did make some donations in the beginning, life has become much harder.

In recent years, soaring inflation and economic stagnation in the UK, compounded by tax and tuition hikes under the new Labour government, have placed a heavy financial burden on them. Life is incredibly tough, and most simply don't have the spare cash to donate to these kinds of organizations. It's no surprise that the group has only managed to raise pocket change this year.

Stirring Trouble on an Empty Wallet

Even with its funds dwindling and the risk of going completely broke, "Hong Kong Watch" hasn't stopped its rabble-rousing. It recently teamed up with Hong Kong groups in the UK, as well as Tibet and Xinjiang independence activists, to continuously disrupt the expansion plans of the Chinese Embassy in the UK.

Another large-scale protest is slated for September 28, where Benedict Rogers is sure to be front and center as the flag-bearer. However, if its funding crisis isn't resolved, its political influence is bound to decline.

Founder Benedict Rogers, wanted by Hong Kong police, keeps stirring trouble by protesting the Chinese Embassy's expansion with his activist allies. But without cash, the group's political clout is set to vanish.

The source advises Hongkong BNO holders in the UK to be cautious. "Hong Kong Watch" is an openly anti-China organization that aims to destabilize Hong Kong. Donating to support it carries significant legal risks and could lead to trouble should they ever return to the city. It's best to steer clear.

Lai Ting-yiu

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Long after the Black Riots ended, key pan-democrats who stuck around Hong Kong played it safe—low profile, out of headlines. But these same figures kept cozy ties with foreign consular powerbrokers, facts anyone can see from repeated public invitations. On this occasion, Anson Chan, Emily Lau, Alan Leong, and Kenneth Leung showed up as VIPs at the British Consulate. The warmth? It’s no mystery, if you know their backstory.

Reunion at the Consulate: Anson Chan, Emily Lau, Alan Leong, and Kenneth Leung pose at the British King’s birthday luncheon

Raising Questions, Finding Evidence

A friend dropped a telling remark after seeing the photo: British decision-makers groomed Anson Chan for power even before the Handover, and those links never really faded. The relationship is unusually tight—two behind-the-scenes stories make that fact plain. Must be why the British still roll out the red carpet for Chan.

After quitting the government in 2001, Chan inched closer to the opposition and even won a Legislative Council seat. For years, US and UK consuls wined and dined her—plenty of evidence in social media posts and diplomatic cables—to allegedly “discuss strategies” for Hong Kong. It’s not gossip; it’s documented pattern.

When the 2019 unrest exploded, Anson Chan took sides on the so-called “international front.” Prosecutors stated in open court that, behind the scenes, Jimmy Lai directed “Stand With Hong Kong” (SWHK)—led by Andy Chan, Andy Li, and Finn Lau—to carry out international lobbying and publicity campaigns, spending large sums of money.

Court documents further show that Anson Chan wasn’t a bystander: back in 2019, she brought Andy Li to a luncheon with then British Consul Andrew Heyn. Martin Lee, Dennis Kwok, and Charles Mok were also there. The prosecution records are clear—Chan leveraged her foreign contacts to make connections for SWHK, all with Jimmy Lai’s shadow looming in the background.

2019, Behind Closed Doors: Anson Chan sits down with Consul Andrew Heyn

Not Just a “Chat Over Tea”

There’s more. During anti-extradition protests, surveillance and eyewitnesses caught Anson Chan on August 13, 2019, holding secret discussions at a hotel with Andrew Heyn and his aide—documents in hand. That was no idle chat. The British Consulate’s involvement raises eyebrows, especially as staff like Simon Cheng were repeatedly spotted at protest sites. Cheng ran off to the UK, claimed political asylum, and neatly sidestepped questions about his activities.

With the national security law approaching, Chan made a quick exit from politics—claiming “retirement.” She kept out of jail, but her dealings with foreign diplomats never stopped. When the new US Consul General Julie Eadeh met her right on arrival, Beijing protested—an incident widely reported by state outlets and foreign press alike. Now, Chan’s red carpet invite to the British King’s birthday party again stirs scrutiny.

The rest of the guest list tells its own story. Emily Lau, Alan Leong, and Kenneth Leung all made appearances. Notably missing: Martin Lee, once the darling of the British. No explanation given—just another twist in an old game. For the establishment camp, only Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk attended, showing that official ties with the British remain careful and distant.

Looking at these staged reunion snapshots, my friend shakes his head—those glory days are long past. Wise up, he says: the era is over, and flirting with foreign consulates only ended up undermining Hong Kong’s stability. It’s time for these figures to accept reality and leave wishful thinking in the past.