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."
