Former Hong Kong lawmaker and outspoken pro-democracy activist Ted Hui granted asylum in Australia months after receiving threatening letter
Hui revealed on Saturday that he had received written notice from the Australian Department of Home Affairs on Friday approving his asylum 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?" he said in the Facebook post on Saturday.
"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 permanent status under asylum removes the uncertainties and pressures they face for a long time —like in which country they will live in, how they will go to school, employment, and elderly — so they can plan for the longer term."
The Home Affairs Department did not immediately respond to emailed questions sent after business hours.
The Hong Kong government said that it was "against the harbouring of criminals in any form by any country," in a statement.
China's foreign ministry did not respond to questions about the decision.
The Adelaide-based lawyer and exiled Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigner was targeted with a menacing letter in mid-March that offered a handsome reward for anyone who handed the dissident over to authorities.
Mr Hui revealed in a Facebook post that the anonymous letter had been mailed to his colleagues at the Adelaide law firm where he works, offering $203,000 to anyone who handed him over, or divulged information regarding his family's whereabouts.
The letter, mailed from a Hong Kong address in early March, claimed Mr Hui was a 'wanted person' for a myriad of national security related offences including 'incitement to secession' and 'collusion with a foreign country'.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Beijing last month as part of his government's years-long push to improve ties with China, and came under fire for toeing the CCP party line.
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$1 million ($196,376) bounties on their heads.
Australia said it was disappointed by the decision at the time and concerned 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.
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