Australia grants asylum to former Hong Kong lawmaker and pro-democracy activist

17/8/2025 12:15

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Ted Hui has been granted asylum in Australia, the former lawmaker said on Saturday, 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?" posted on Facebook.



"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 in a statement 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.