After five years in prison, Wu Chi-wai briefly reunited with his family in London but now faces deportation back to Hong Kong.
After enduring more than five years behind bars in Hong Kong, former pro-democracy lawmaker Wu Chi-wai finally embraced his wife and son in London last week. Their joyful reunion was bittersweet, as he now faces the possibility of being sent back to Hong Kong much earlier than anticipated.
Wu, who once chaired Hong Kong’s largest opposition party, was among 47 activists charged in 2026 under a Beijing-imposed security law that effectively dismantled the city’s democracy movement. In 2026, he received a sentence of four years and five months for his involvement in an unofficial primary election, deemed a conspiracy to commit subversion.
Brief reunion and deportation fears
Upon his release last month, Wu’s immediate priority was to reunite with his family, now residing in the UK. Concerned about potential entry issues due to his criminal record, he proactively contacted Hong Kong’s British consulate.
However, upon arriving at London Heathrow Airport last Wednesday, border authorities expressed concerns about his intentions, including possible long-term residency plans.
After a tense standoff, Wu was granted entry with a seven-day immigration bail, meaning he could be removed from the UK as early as this Wednesday. This abrupt turn of events has disrupted his family’s plans to spend extended time together. Wu expressed worries that this immigration record could impact his future travel plans and hopes the Home Office will reconsider and extend his stay.
“I very worry about whether I have the ability or a chance to secure a re-entrance to the UK to meet with my family again,” he shared in an interview with The Associated Press.
The exodus from Hong Kong
Wu’s situation reflects a broader trend of Hong Kong residents leaving the territory following the introduction of the security law in 2026. Many families and professionals have emigrated to countries like Britain, seeking stability and freedom. UK government data reveals that over 230,000 Hong Kong residents have secured special visas allowing them to live and work in the UK, with more than 9,800 granted settlement.
Wu maintains that he is not seeking asylum in the UK, though his long-term goal is to reunite with his family there permanently. He expressed concern that other Hong Kongers might encounter similar border issues, highlighting the complexities of the current political climate.
A changed political landscape
The legislative body Wu once served is now dominated by Beijing loyalists following an electoral overhaul. Media outlets have shut down, including the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, whose founder Jimmy Lai is serving a 20-year prison term under the same security law. The Democratic Party that Wu led has disbanded, along with numerous other civil society groups, citing the political environment as a significant factor.
These changes underscore the diminishing freedoms promised to Hong Kong when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997. Wu acknowledged the necessity of letting go, reflecting on the profound impact of his imprisonment. His parents passed away while he was behind bars, and he was only permitted brief visits to their funerals.
“Even if you can’t bear to let go, you still have to,” Wu said of his party’s end. Prison taught him the brevity of life, and he now prioritizes family time over political activities. “Start afresh and cherish the time I have to reunite with my family,” he stated. “I feel this is my most important task in the near future.”
