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Two activists from Hong Kong have recently been granted asylum in the UK and Australia, which has sparked backlash from the Chinese government. The Chief Secretary of Hong Kong summoned the Australian and British envoys and warned them against “harbouring offenders.” Ted Hui, a former lawmaker, and Tony Chung, a student leader, announced that they have been granted asylum in Australia and the UK, respectively. Both individuals had faced jail time under the national security law imposed by Beijing, which critics argue is being used to suppress dissent and create an atmosphere of fear.
Ted Hui left Hong Kong in December 2020 while facing charges related to his participation in anti-government protests. Similarly, Tony Chung departed in 2023, citing the immense stress brought upon by constant police surveillance. The Hong Kong government defended its arrests, stating that they are based on evidence and not on one’s political stance. Since the implementation of the national security law in 2020, hundreds of activists in Hong Kong have been arrested and charged, following the widespread pro-democracy protests in the previous year.
Ted Hui shared that he and his family have secured protection visas in Australia, where they now reside. The 43-year-old expressed the pain of leaving behind a homeland filled with cherished memories. In a separate development, Tony Chung revealed that he has been granted refugee status in the UK, with a five-year residence permit. The UK Home Office acknowledged Chung’s well-founded fear of persecution, which prevents his return to his home country. Despite the challenges faced, Chung expressed gratitude for the opportunity to start anew after a long wait.
In a symbolic act of protest against the national security law in 2020, Ted Hui garnered attention by throwing rotten plants in Hong Kong’s Legislative Council chamber. Chung, on the other hand, was convicted under the same law in 2023 for advocating for Hong Kong’s secession. The UK government had previously criticized Hong Kong authorities for offering cash rewards to individuals who aid in the arrest of pro-democracy activists residing in Britain, denouncing it as an example of transnational repression
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