Ex-Hong Kong opposition leader Wu Chi-wai granted 6-month stay in UK after border detention, thanks supporters

The ex-leader of Hong Kong’s opposition Democratic Party, Wu Chi-wai, has been allowed to stay in the UK for six months, following reports that he faced deportation after he was briefly detained at the border last week. Wu Chi-wai. File Photo: Democratic Party. “I know that, throughout this event, many Hong Kong people and friends everywhere have been working tirelessly during this period, speaking out for me and voicing opinions through various channels and methods,” Wu said in a video posted by Green Bean Media, a Hong Kong diaspora media outlet. “With everyone’s assistance, today – on the afternoon of July 27, 2026 – I finally received a document issued by the UK Border Force officially approving my entry and granting me a standard stay of six months,” Wu said in Cantonese. The 63-year-old was released from prison in Hong Kong last month after serving four years and five months for conspiracy to commit subversion in the city’s largest national security case. Subversion is an offence under Hong Kong’s national security law, unilaterally imposed by Beijing in June 2020 to also criminalise secession, collusion with foreign forces, and terrorist acts. Wu Chi-wai speaks after being allowed to stay in the UK for six months. Photo: Screenshot via Green Bean Media. Wu also served a separate 14-month jail term for two authorised assembly cases. Immigration bail According to a Monday Associated Press report, Wu landed in the UK last week to see his wife and son in London but was only granted seven-day immigration bail. It would have seen him removed from the country this Wednesday. The AP reported that Wu, concerned his conviction would hinder his entry to Britain, informed the UK consulate in Hong Kong of his plans. But UK border authorities believed Wu could have other goals such as seeking long-term residence and only granted him seven days. 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.” Wu said in the Green Bean video: “With everyone reflecting opinions through different channels, that collective effort turned into a force that ultimately overturned the decision to deny my entry.” The Home Office also confirmed Wu was granted permission to enter the country, according to reports. ‘Discretionary treatment’ Nevertheless, Wu said his experience “failed to assuage Hongkongers’ concerns regarding entering and exiting the UK,” noting that his arrangement was discretionary treatment, not standard procedure. “The government has made it very clear that this case itself does not constitute any precedent. The entry procedures still require further clarification to avoid causing distress to Hongkongers,” he said. “Once again, thank you to all the friends who care for myself and for Hongkongers. I have been separated from my family for five and a half years, and I long to reunite with them and live a peaceful life. I also hope that all Hong Kong people can live well and cherish their loved ones. Thank you, everyone!” he said. The Democratic Party, which Wu once led, passed a resolution to disband last December, after operating in the city for more than three decades. 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 whilst 31 pleaded guilty – of those, four acted as witnesses for the prosecution against their peers during the 118-day trial. Safeguard press freedom; keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team Support HKFP | Policies & Ethics | Error/typo? | Contact | Newsletter | Transparency & Annual Report | Apps Make a one-off donation. James Lee is a reporter at Hong Kong Free Press with an interest in culture and social issues. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in Journalism from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, where he witnessed the institution’s transformation over the course of the 2019 extradition bill protests and after the passing of the Beijing-imposed security law. Since joining HKFP in 2023, he has covered local politics, the city’s housing crisis, as well as landmark court cases including the 47 democrats national security trial. He was previously a reporter at The Standard where he interviewed pro-establishment heavyweights and extensively covered the Covid-19 pandemic and Hong Kong’s political overhauls under the national security law. More by James Lee