Hong Kong, August 20: Two pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong have been granted asylum separately in the UK and Australia, prompting anger from the Chinese special administrative region's government.
Hong Kong summoned the Australian and British envoys, who were warned by Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki against "harbouring offenders".
Former lawmaker Ted Hui and student leader Tony Chung announced over the weekend that they have been granted asylum in Australia and the UK, respectively. They were sentenced to jail under a national security law that Beijing says is necessary to maintain stability in the city. However, critics say the law is being used to crush dissent and instil a climate of fear.
Hui fled Hong Kong in December 2020 while facing charges for his involvement in anti-government protests the year before. Chung left in 2023 citing an "enormous amount of stress" from constant police scrutiny.
Arrests in Hong Kong are "based on facts and evidence" and "has nothing to do with the political stance", the city's government said in a statement on Tuesday.
Hundreds of activists in Hong Kong have been arrested and charged since the sweeping national security legislation came into force in 2020, one year after widespread pro-democracy protests.
Hui said on Saturday that he and his family secured protection visas. The 43-year-old, who lives with his wife, children and parents in Adelaide, said they were forced "to leave a homeland we love and where our most precious memories remain".
Source: Qatar Tribune
