Former HK Lawmaker Arrives in Australia to Lobby for Firmer Action Against Beijing

Former pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui Chi-fung appears outside West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts in Hong Kong, China Nov. 19, 2020. Lam Yik/Reuters

Hong Kong lawmaker and pro-democracy activist Ted Hui has been granted a travel exemption by the Australian government to visit the country as part of a global tour to garner support for firmer action against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The former legislator arrived early on Tuesday after flying from Europe, where he has spent the past three months touring the continent, speaking to top legislators on Hong Kong’s freedoms.

“Although the number of Hong Kong people who have settled and studied in Australia are numerous, there are few Hong Kong political leaders in exile here and lobbying; this is one of the factors for my decision to come to Australia,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

Security officers hold pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui who splashed liquid at the Legislative Council chamber during a meeting on the controversial national anthem bill in Hong Kong, China, on June 4, 2020. Jessie Pang via Reuters

“Australia and New Zealand are two important members of the Five Eyes’ alliance,” he wrote. “The two countries have many conflicts and seesawing battles with Beijing over democracy, freedom, trade, and other universal values.”

“I hope my lobbying work will enable the two countries to have a stronger attitude towards Beijing and stronger support and substantive actions for Hong Kong’s freedom.”

Hui said he was not applying for political asylum in Australia but did not rule out the possibility in the future.

Hui has been a member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council since 2016.

In November, he resigned along with 18 other pan-democracy lawmakers in protest to the Hong Kong government’s decision to disqualify four pro-democracy legislators from the Council.

Hui decided to leave Hong Kong in December for Denmark and announced plans to move his family to the United Kingdom.

In a Facebook post, Hui said he would not return to Hong Kong after news of the arrest of democracy activist and media tycoon Jimmy Lai.

Australia has seen an increase of migrants from Hong Kong after the CCP passed its controversial National Security Law that would see the communist regime tighten control over the city.

Hui will be meeting with Prime Minister Scott Morrison during his visit to discuss trade diversification away from China and passing Magnitsky-style laws that can target human rights abusers overseas, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Alex Wu contributed to this article.