Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Ted Hui granted asylum in Australia

Ted Hui, a Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigner, has been granted asylum in Australia, the former lawmaker said in a Facebook post on Saturday, more than four years after leaving Hong Kong, where he faces criminal accusations related to the 2019 pro-democracy rallies.

Hui stated that he received official notification from the Australian Department of Home Affairs on Friday validating his application, and that his wife, children, and parents were also given 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.

“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.”

The Home Affairs Department did not immediately respond to enquiries submitted after office hours.

The Hong Kong government and China’s foreign ministry did not immediately reply to enquiries regarding the decision.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Beijing last month as part of his administration’s years-long effort to strengthen relations with China.

Hui, a former Democratic Party politician, fled Hong Kong in late 2020 after facing criminal accusations related to the 2019 pro-democracy rallies.

In 2023, Hong Kong charged him and seven others with national security charges, including inciting to secession, and imposed HK$1 million ($127,782) bounty on their heads.

Australia expressed disappointment with the ruling at the time and worry 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.