Following the 2019 anti-extradition movement, a large number of Hong Kong residents immigrated to the UK under the British National Overseas (BNO) visa scheme, establishing themselves in various British cities. A growing number of them have also entered politics and joined local councils. This station interviewed three Hong Kong residents who were elected to local councils in the UK to understand their reasons for joining politics and the importance of representing local communities in advancing issues of concern to Hong Kong residents.
According to the latest data from the UK Home Office, 163,000 Hong Kong residents have arrived in the UK through the BNO visa scheme. Among them is former Central and Western District Councillor Ng Siu-hong. Three years after moving to the UK, he was elected to Wokingham Borough Council, becoming the first former Hong Kong district councillor elected in a UK local election.
The election of a former Hong Kong district councillor to a UK regional councillor will help promote anti-communist and Hong Kong issues
In an interview with our station, Wu Zhaokang reflected on his work in a UK district council over the past year. He said that his role as a local council representative allowed him to leverage the power of the council to raise awareness of Hong Kong issues. In addition to demanding a government response to the BNO visa program, his local council was also the first to pass a resolution opposing China's plan to build a super embassy in London.
Wu Zhaohong said, "Many British people have a connection to Hong Kong. They are aware of the anti-extradition movement and the large number of pro-democracy figures arrested following the National Security Law. They also identify with Hong Kong people's commitment to defending freedom, democracy, human rights, and opposing the CCP's authoritarianism. As a District Councillor, I can update residents on the latest developments in Hong Kong during my visits. I also discuss China's recent actions that are influencing the UK, providing them with new information. For example, China wants to build a super embassy in the UK. I explained to residents in my constituency why Hong Kong people oppose the plan, explaining how its construction would exacerbate issues such as Chinese infiltration, and urging them to oppose it. I recently successfully passed a motion opposing China's super embassy in the parliament I was elected to. Many local British media outlets covered it extensively, ensuring that the opposition voices were not limited to the Hong Kong community and localizing the issue."
Wu Zhaokang returns to the parliament to continue his mission and hopes to encourage more Hong Kong people in the UK to join politics
Mr Ng said he had always wanted to serve the public as a district councillor, and hoped that his experience of returning to the UK parliament to realise his ambitions would encourage more aspiring people to join him and speak up for Hong Kong people in the UK.
Wu Zhaohong said: "Hong Kong people coming to the UK need to better integrate into local life. In addition to work and school, political life is also an important part. There are already many Hong Kong people's organizations in British civil society. If Hong Kong people have representatives in Parliament, they can play a bridging role, promoting bills in local councils and helping Hong Kong people address issues of concern. I know that many former Hong Kong district councilors and social activists have moved to the UK. I hope that my experience in being elected will encourage more people to try to speak up for Hong Kong people within the British system."
Ko Man-hin, who has experience in campaigning and corporate work in Hong Kong, was appointed last month as the local representative for Bletchley and Fenny Stratford through a new nomination process. He told CNN that, having just taken office, he needed to lay a solid foundation so that more residents could get to know him. In doing so, he also brought his Hong Kong-inspired service approach to the UK, helping local residents, often unfamiliar with the concerns of Hong Kong residents, to engage with their concerns.
Gao Wenxuan said, "My district council hasn't discussed the issue of China building a super embassy yet. However, the British appreciate communication from their representatives. I will use this opportunity to explain to residents the data and national security issues surrounding a Chinese embassy. I'll also use my background in finance to point out that China is acquiring a prime location in the heart of London at a low price, so they can consider whether to oppose the building of a Chinese consulate."
Hong Kong politicians in the UK raise the alarm about China's surveillance and other issues in parliamentary discussions
Cai Jiayuan, a former political novice, also successfully joined the local council through a by-election last month. Cai Jiayuan told our station that although he's a political rookie, he has served in the local council for many years. He explained that after the anti-extradition movement, a large number of Hong Kong people immigrated to the UK, and his area of Sutton became a hub for Hong Kong people. He founded the Facebook group "Sutton Hong Kongers" to assist Hong Kong people who immigrated to the UK, which became his catalyst for a political career. He explained that the difference between serving in the council and serving in the local council is that he can directly bring Hong Kong people's concerns about China's influence into council discussions.
Cai Jiayuan said: "After experiencing the anti-extradition movement, Hong Kong people have become more vigilant and sensitive to Chinese surveillance. I was able to ask in Parliament whether street cameras were made in China, reflecting the Hong Kong community's concerns about Chinese-made cameras having special surveillance functions. I raised this issue during the meeting and opened it up for Parliamentary discussion. Parliament and my party supported me in sharing the views of the Hong Kong community as a Hong Konger. In fact, many people in the UK, including Ukrainians, also use TikTok. When I interact with residents, I explain to them why Hong Kong people don't use TikTok. I listen to their concerns while also conducting civic education on preventing Chinese infiltration."
Hong Kong political novices joining the British Parliament will help build a positive image of Hong Kong people actively serving the community.
Cai Jiayuan said that as a local councilor in the UK, he does not receive any salary, only a very meager subsidy. He believes that his willingness to lead by example and contribute to the community, as well as the active volunteering of Hong Kong people in the district, will win the support of local people for Hong Kong people.
Cai Jiayuan said: "In the district I serve, Hong Kong people may only account for 1% of the total population, but a small proportion does not mean a weak influence. In my district, many Hong Kong people are willing to serve as volunteers. For example, at the district's largest food bank (or charity canteen), 90% of the volunteers are Hong Kong people, which has given local people a good impression of the Hong Kong community. Hong Kong people's willingness to contribute to the community has also become a role model for new immigrants from countries like Ukraine and India. Locals and new immigrants alike have a very positive impression of Hong Kong people."
He said that the power of Hong Kong people in local areas cannot be ignored. For example, the local libraries reproduced the so-called "banned books" that were removed from the shelves of Hong Kong libraries. This is also the result of entering the system and Hong Kong people actively serving the community.
