Former Hong Kong residents embrace UK politics amid lingering Beijing fears

• Greater than 180,000 Hong Kongers have immigrated to Britain underneath a particular visa program, fleeing political crackdowns of their dwelling nation since 2021.
• Not like many immigrants, Hong Kongers arrive in Britain with the proper to vote.
• Some Hong Kong immigrants stay involved about Chinese language affect and potential repercussions for his or her households.

For Richard Wong, 25, who moved to Britain from Hong Kong two years in the past, it “feels unusual” participating in a free election, exercising precisely these rights that he as soon as fought for, figuring out that his pals again dwelling not can.

“Again in Hong Kong we tried so laborious to get democracy after which misplaced it. And I moved right here, and we are literally training democracy, however in a really completely different context,” stated Wong, who has been knocking on doorways as a volunteer for an opposition Labour occasion candidate in subsequent month’s UK normal election.

“I nonetheless have pals spending their time in jail and I am … doing this on the different finish of the world.”

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Since 2021, greater than 180,000 Hong Kongers have moved to Britain underneath a particular visa program arrange in response to a crackdown on dissent of their homeland, a former British colony handed again to Beijing in 1997.

China says the crackdown was obligatory to revive stability after months of generally violent protests in 2019.

When Britain left Hong Kong it provided a restricted type of British nationality to residents, which suggests the Hong Kongers, not like many newcomers from elsewhere, arrive with the proper to vote within the UK.

Britain’s nationwide election subsequent month is the primary likelihood they must take part within the central ritual of democracy of their adopted dwelling. Many are passionate in regards to the alternative.

“I do know the ability of votes. I believe if we’ve got that energy we must always utilise it,” stated Carmen Lau, a marketing campaign coordinator for Vote for Hong Kong 2024, a bunch rallying Hong Kongers within the UK to take part within the British election.

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Earlier than she moved to Britain, Lau was elected a Hong Kong district councillor in 2019, however later disqualified for refusing to take an oath of loyalty to the territory’s mini structure.

With relations between Britain and China at a low ebb, amid accusations from London that Beijing had intimidated a overseas nationwide on British soil and counter claims of spying actions, some Hong Kongers are nonetheless fearful China’s attain.

Lau stated at cultural occasions many attendees wore masks and prevented cameras as a result of they had been afraid their household again in Hong Kong could be harassed.

“The best to vote is treasured, and extra Hong Kong individuals are transferring to the UK and we’re involved about China’s management and spies, so there’s a want to talk out,” stated one Hong Konger within the UK, Kate, 33, who declined to offer her full title as she was scared of reprisals.