Pro-democracy Activists Tony Chung and Ted Hui Granted Asylum in Britain and Australia Amidst Controversy Over National Security Law

Pro-democracy activists Tony Chung and Ted Hui, both wanted by Hong Kong authorities, have been granted asylum in the UK and Australia respectively.

Tony Chung, a political prisoner under Hong Kong’s controversial national security law, and Ted Hui, a former lawmaker facing trial for his role in 2019 anti-government protests, confirmed their new refugee statuses over the weekend.

The pair are part of a growing group of activists fleeing Hong Kong as civil liberties continue to dwindle. The imposition of Beijing’s national security law in 2020 effectively criminalized dissent in the former British colony, with both Beijing and Hong Kong hailing it as a step towards stability for the financial hub.

Ted Hui, who left Hong Kong in December 2020, is one of several activists targeted by police bounties worth up to 1 million Hong Kong dollars ($127,800). Now practicing law in Adelaide, Hui announced on Facebook that his family has been granted protection visas.

“I extend my deepest gratitude to the Government of Australia – both present and past – for recognizing our need for asylum and granting us this protection,” Hui wrote. “This decision embodies the values of freedom, justice, and compassion that my family will forever cherish.”

In Hong Kong, Hui was a vocal advocate for democracy and disrupted a legislative session by throwing a rotten plant to halt debate on the national anthem bill – controversial legislation making it illegal to defame the Chinese national anthem. He was fined 52,000 Hong Kong dollars ($6,600) for his actions.

Tony Chung, a proponent of Hong Kong independence, was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for secession and money laundering in 2020. Following his release on supervision, he traveled from Japan to seek asylum in the UK. In a post on social media platform Threads, Chung announced his new refugee status and five-year resident permit.

“Despite the challenges I’ve faced over the past few years, including ongoing mental health issues, I remain steadfast in my activism,” he said.

British and Australian authorities have yet to comment on the activists’ statuses. Hong Kong’s government issued a statement condemning “the harboring of criminals in any form by any country.”