Ex-Hong Kong opposition leader Wu Chi-wai faces deportation from UK on Wed, is not seeking asylum – report

The former leader of Hong Kong’s opposition Democratic Party, Wu Chi-wai, has reportedly been restricted to a one-week stay in the UK after he was briefly detained at the border last Wednesday.

Wu Chi-wai. Photo: HKFP.

According to The Associated Press, Wu went to the UK to see his wife and son in London but was only granted seven-day immigration bail, meaning he faces being removed from the country on Wednesday.

The 63-year-old was released from prison last month after serving four years and five months for conspiracy to commit subversion in the city’s largest national security case.

The AP reported that Wu, given his conviction, was concerned his record would hinder his entry to Britain, so he informed the UK consulate in Hong Kong in advance about his travel plans.

But UK border authorities thought Wu could have goals other than visiting the country, such as seeking long-term residency, and granted him only a seven-day immigration bail.

“I am very worried about whether I have the ability or a chance to secure a re-entrance to the UK to meet with my family again,” he told the AP.

The UK Houses of Parliament, Westminster, London. File photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.

He added that he hoped his immigration record could be adjusted, and his stay extended, to avoid future trouble.

He denied seeking asylum, despite reports from The Times last week, but said he had a long-term intention to reunite with his family: “Start afresh and cherish the time I have to reunite with my family… I feel this is my most important task in the near future.”

Last week, a UK Home Office spokesperson told HKFP: “The Government remains steadfast in its support for members of the Hong Kong community in the UK. We do not routinely comment on individual cases.”

In 2021, 47 prominent democrats were arrested and charged under the 2020 security law with “conspiracy to commit subversion,” after they organised primaries in a bid to win the 2020 legislative election. They were accused of planning to use legislative powers to indiscriminately veto bills, whilst forcing the chief executive’s resignation and a government shutdown. Most were detained for almost four years since their arrest.

The scholars, lawmakers, activists and a journalist faced three hand-picked judges, with no jury. Sixteen pleaded not guilty whist 31 pleaded guilty – of those, four acted as witnesses for the prosecution against their peers during the 118-day trial.