Hong Kong activist allowed to stay in UK after deportation threat
Summary
Wu Chi-wai, a former Hong Kong opposition leader and pro-democracy activist, was initially detained and threatened with deportation when he arrived in the UK. After several days, the UK Border Force allowed him and his family to stay for six months using his British National (Overseas) passport.Key Facts
- Wu Chi-wai is a 63-year-old former leader of Hong Kong’s Democratic Party and a prominent pro-democracy figure.
- He was detained for nearly 10 hours at London's Heathrow Airport and initially refused entry.
- Wu was later told he could stay only one week before possible deportation but was eventually granted a six-month stay.
- Wu spent over five years in prison in Hong Kong on charges of subversion related to pro-democracy activities.
- His wife and son had already moved to the UK in 2022 and 2023; Wu aimed to reunite with them.
- Wu traveled using a British National (Overseas) passport, which allows visa-free stays in the UK for six months.
- The UK government created a visa program for BNO passport holders after protests in Hong Kong and the crackdown on democracy activists.
- Over 230,000 Hong Kong residents have been granted these visas, with nearly 170,000 relocating to the UK.
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