By Arun John
LONDON (Reuters) – For Richard Wong, who moved to Britain from Hong Kong two years ago, it feels strange to exercise a right he fought for and take part in free elections, knowing that his friends back home can no longer do so.
“In Hong Kong we tried so hard to get democracy but we ended up losing it. Now I move here and we actually practice democracy but it’s a totally different situation,” said Wong, who is canvassing door to door as a volunteer for the opposition Labour Party candidate in next month’s British general election.
“Some of my friends are still serving time in prison, and I’m doing this on the other side of the world.”
More than 180,000 Hong Kongers have moved to Britain since 2021 under a special visa program set up in the wake of a crackdown on dissent in the former British colony, which was handed back to Beijing in 1997.
China says the crackdown was necessary to restore stability after months of sometimes violent protests in 2019.
When Britain withdrew from Hong Kong, it granted its residents limited British citizenship, meaning that Hong Kongers, unlike many newcomers from other parts of the country, arrive with the right to vote in Britain.
Next month’s British general election will be their first opportunity to take part in a central ritual of democracy in their adopted home – and many are excited about the opportunity.
“We know the power of voting and if you have that power then you should use it,” said Carmen Lau, campaigns coordinator for Vote Hong Kong 2024, a group encouraging Hong Kong residents in the UK to take part in the UK elections.
Before moving to the UK, Lau was elected as a Hong Kong district councillor in 2019 but was later disqualified after refusing to swear allegiance to Hong Kong’s mini-constitution.
As relations between Britain and China deteriorate, with accusations from London of Beijing threatening foreigners on British soil and counter-accusations of espionage, some Hong Kong residents remain fearful of Chinese influence.
At cultural events, many attendees wear masks and avoid cameras for fear of harassment for their families back in Hong Kong, Lau said.
“The right to vote is precious and we need to speak out as more and more Hong Kong people are moving to the UK and we are concerned about Chinese control and espionage,” said Kate, 33, a Hong Konger living in Britain, who declined to give her real name for fear of retaliation.
(Editing by Michael Holden and Peter Graff)
