Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Ted Hui has been granted asylum in Australia, the former lawmaker said in a Facebook post, more than four years after he left Hong Kong where he faces criminal charges over the 2019 pro-democracy protests.

Hui said he received written notice from the Australian Department of Home Affairs on Friday approving his claim and that his wife, children and parents were also granted visas.

“When people around me say ‘congratulations’ to me, although I politely thank them, I can’t help but feel sad in my heart. How to congratulate a political refugee who misses his hometown?” he said in the Facebook post on Saturday.

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“If it weren’t for political persecution, I would never have thought of living in a foreign land. Immigrants can always return to their home towns to visit relatives at any time; Exiles have no home.”

The Home Affairs Department did not immediately respond to emailed questions sent after business hours.

The Hong Kong government said that it was “against the harbouring of criminals in any form by any country,” in a statement. China’s foreign ministry did not respond to questions about the decision.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Beijing last month as part of his administration’s years-long push to improve ties with China.

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A former Democratic Party lawmaker, Hui left Hong Kong in late 2020 after facing criminal charges over the 2019 pro-democracy protests.

In 2023 Hong Kong accused him and seven others of national security offences, including incitement to secession, and put HK$1 million ($127,782) bounties on their heads.

Australia said it was disappointed by the decision at the time and concerned about the law.

Pro-democracy businessman Jimmy Lai is currently on trial in Hong Kong on charges related to a national security law imposed by Beijing and alleged sedition.

Prominent pro-democracy activist and former lawmaker Ted Hui has been officially granted asylum in Australia, according to a Facebook announcement by Hui. This development comes more than four years after he left Hong Kong, where he was charged with criminal offenses related to the 2019 pro-democracy protests.

Hui revealed that the Australian Department of Home Affairs approved his asylum claim along with visas for his family. Despite the asylum status, Hui expressed a deep sense of longing for his hometown, highlighting the emotional toll of political exile.

The Hong Kong government criticized the decision, emphasizing opposition to “harboring criminals.” The move also unfolds during delicate diplomatic choreography as Australia’s leadership works to mend ties with China.

(With inputs from agencies.)

SYDNEY: Former Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui has been granted asylum in Australia.

Hui, wanted by Hong Kong authorities, confirmed his protection visa approval in a social media post.

He called on Australia to increase support for jailed activists still in Hong Kong.

The former British colony has faced tightened political controls since Beijing imposed a national security law in 2020.

Hui, now based in Adelaide, said the visa also covers his wife, children, and parents.

“I express my sincere gratitude to the Government of Australia — both present and former — for recognising our need for asylum and granting us this protection,“ he wrote on Facebook.

Hong Kong police issued a HK$1 million bounty for Hui in 2023, targeting several overseas activists.

Western nations have criticised such bounties as symbolic, given extradition is unlikely.

Hui urged Australia to advocate for detained figures like tycoon Jimmy Lai, imprisoned since 2020.

“Australia must do more to rescue them and to speak up for their humanity,“ he said.

He added that his family would contribute to Australia through work and civic engagement.

Hong Kong’s government warned against harbouring fugitives in a statement on Saturday.

“Any country that harbours Hong Kong criminals in any form shows contempt for the rule of law,“ a spokesperson said.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has opposed Hong Kong’s extraterritorial legal actions.

“Freedom of expression and assembly are essential to our democracy,“ Wong stated last month.

She reiterated objections to Hong Kong’s broad application of national security laws. – AFP

Exiled Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Ted Hui has announced on social media that he has been granted asylum in Australia.

Hui revealed on Saturday that he had received written notice from the Australian Department of Home Affairs on Friday approving his asylum claim and that his wife, children and parents were also granted visas.

“When people around me say ‘congratulations’ to me, although I politely thank them, I can’t help but feel sad in my heart. How to congratulate a political refugee who misses his hometown?” he said in the Facebook post on Saturday.

“If it weren’t for political persecution, I would never have thought of living in a foreign land. Immigrants can always return to their hometowns to visit relatives at any time; Exiles have no home.

Hong Kong pro democracy campaigner Ted Hui has been granted asylum in Australia. Picture: NCA/Emma Brasier.

“The permanent status under asylum removes the uncertainties and pressures they face for a long time —like in which country they will live in, how they will go to school, employment, and elderly — so they can plan for the longer term.”

The Home Affairs Department did not immediately respond to emailed questions sent after business hours.

The Hong Kong government said that it was “against the harbouring of criminals in any form by any country,” in a statement.

China’s foreign ministry did not respond to questions about the decision.

The Adelaide-based lawyer and exiled Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigner was targeted with a menacing letter in mid-March that offered a handsome reward for anyone who handed the dissident over to authorities.

The Adelaide-based lawyer and exiled Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigner was targeted with a menacing letter in mid-March that offered a handsome reward for anyone who handed the dissident over to authorities. Picture: Facebook.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Beijing last month and came under fire for toeing the CCP party line. Picture: AP/Huang Jingwen.

Mr Hui revealed in a Facebook post that the anonymous letter had been mailed to his colleagues at the Adelaide law firm where he works, offering $203,000 to anyone who handed him over, or divulged information regarding his family’s whereabouts.

The letter, mailed from a Hong Kong address in early March, claimed Mr Hui was a “wanted person” for a myriad of national security related offences including “incitement to secession” and “collusion with a foreign country”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Beijing last month as part of his government’s years-long push to improve ties with China, and came under fire for toeing the CCP party line.

A former Democratic Party lawmaker, Hui left Hong Kong in late 2020 after facing criminal charges over the 2019 pro-democracy protests.

In 2023 Hong Kong accused him and seven others of national security offences, including incitement to secession, and put HK$1 million ($196,376) bounties on their heads.

Australia said it was disappointed by the decision at the time and concerned about the law.

Pro-democracy businessman Jimmy Lai is currently on trial in Hong Kong on charges related to a national security law imposed by Beijing and alleged sedition.

– With Reuters

Former Hong Kong lawmaker Ted Hui, a high-profile participant of the city’s 2019 pro-democracy protests, has been granted asylum in Australia – Copyright AFP Anthony WALLACE

Former pro-democracy Hong Kong lawmaker Ted Hui who is wanted by the Chinese city has been granted asylum in Australia, he said in a social media post, calling on Canberra to do more for those who remain jailed.

The former British colony — handed back to China in 1997 — has seen dissent quashed since Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law following huge and at times violent democracy protests that erupted in 2019.

Hui, a high-profile participant at the time who has since resettled in Adelaide, said the Australian government had granted him a protection visa this week, with asylum also extending to his wife, children and parents.

“I express my sincere gratitude to the Government of Australia — both present and former — for recognising our need for asylum and granting us this protection,” he said in a Facebook post on Saturday.

A vocal critic of Hong Kong and Beijing authorities, Hui is among several overseas activists targeted in 2023 by police bounties of HK$1 million each.

The bounties, which have previously drawn strong criticism from Western countries, are seen as largely symbolic given that they affect people living abroad in nations unlikely to extradite political activists to Hong Kong or China.

In this Facebook post, Hui urged the Australian government not to forget other Hong Kong activists who remained jailed, including tycoon Jimmy Lai, who has been behind bars since 2020.

“Australia must do more to rescue them and to speak up for their humanity,” Hui said. “Its stance matters internationally, and its protection of Hongkongers sets a precedent for other democracies.”

He added that he and his family will “give back to Australia in every way we can — through our work, our civic engagement, and our commitment to the values of democracy and freedom”.

While Hong Kong’s government did not comment directly on Hui’s case, a spokesperson said Saturday those who absconded should not think they could evade “criminal liability”.

“Any country that harbours Hong Kong criminals in any form shows contempt for the rule of law, grossly disrespects Hong Kong’s legal systems and barbarically interferes in the affairs of Hong Kong,” the spokesperson said.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has previously objected Hong Kong’s arrest warrants and bounties.

“Freedom of expression and assembly are essential to our democracy,” she said last month on social media.

“We have consistently expressed our strong objections to China and Hong Kong on the broad and extraterritorial application of Hong Kong’s national security legislation, and we will continue to do so.”

burs-lec/dhc