Pro-democracy activist Ted Hui has been granted asylum in Australia, the former lawmaker said, more than four years after he left Hong Kong, where he faces criminal charges over the 2019 pro-democracy protests.
Hui on Saturday 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.
The Hong Kong government said in a statement that it was “against the harbouring of criminals in any form by any country”.
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.
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$1mil bounties on their heads.
Meanwhile, fellow Hong Kong activist Tony Chung yesterday said he had been granted asylum by Britain, in a post on his X account.
He was sentenced to three years and seven months in prison in late 2021 after being convicted of secession and money laundering.
Pro-democracy businessman Jimmy Lai is on trial in Hong Kong on charges related to a national security law imposed by Beijing and alleged sedition. — Reuters
