Home » Hong Kong activist Ray Wong: “These are not elections, but selections from above”

Hong Kong activist Ray Wong: “These are not elections, but selections from above”

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BEIJING – “But what elections, nothing will change for the politics of the city. But at least the world will realize how Beijing is canceling the freedom of the people of Hong Kong”. Ray Wong, 28, speaks from Germany where he is now studying at the University of Göttingen.

Together with Alan Li he was the first activist of the former British colony to obtain protection from a foreign state. He decided to leave his family and friends in November four years ago, while he was free on bail pending a trial that saw him accused of the riots that broke out in 2016 in the district of Mong Kok, the scene of the most violent clashes of the last decades between demonstrators and police. “If I had stayed I would have risked ten years in prison, I had no choice”.

Hong Kong to vote, but can only elect candidates who have passed the test of pro-Beijing patriotism

by our correspondent Gianluca Modolo


This vote in Hong Kong is the first since the new electoral system set up by the Beijing government came into effect in May, according to which “only patriots can govern”. What do these elections represent?
“Most pro-democracy exponents are either in prison or awaiting trial for violating the new national security law. They call it an election, but it’s just a top-down selection. Hong Kong’s political system, after this imposition, it no longer has any democratic element “.

These days he launched the #releasemycandidate Twitter campaign, “Release my candidate”. Because?
“Because behind bars today there are 47 people, ‘guilty’ of having organized primaries before this election for the Legislative Council, the parliament. They received the mandate from the inhabitants of Hong Kong through a democratic procedure. It is the candidates who make it. people would have liked to elect. But they can’t. ”

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by our correspondent Gianluca Modolo


We have seen arrests and trials in recent months, following the new national security law. How has the city changed and how is it changing?
“The situation is worrying. In the last three months alone, 50 civil society organizations have been dissolved.”

Are you still in contact with anyone there? What do they tell you?
“The general sentiment is ambivalent. On the one hand, the people I speak to are obviously saddened by what is happening to our beloved city. On the other hand, Honkongers’ sense of unity has never been as strong as it is now. People still have trust and try to resist, in different forms “.

Are Beijing’s policies increasingly oppressive?
“China has become one of the most evil countries in the world. Aggression and repression do not stop at its borders. The West should realize the failure of its policy towards Beijing and be more sympathetic to the people who struggle against this authoritarian regime. Europe should reduce its dependence on the Chinese market and impose sanctions on those Party officials who have committed or are committing human rights violations. ”

She was one of the first to leave the city and obtain refugee status in 2019. How are you feeling today?
“When I first set foot on European soil I knew that perhaps I would never be able to return to my city. A part of my soul, the one that could only exist in Hong Kong, is lost. Even after four years of living. here in Germany I feel that a part of me is gone “.

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When and why did you decide to become an activist?
“After the Umbrella Revolution in 2014 I founded Hong Kong Indigenous together with other young people. We were radicals, we wanted to preserve our values, our culture, our way of life in the face of the intentions of Beijing that wanted to assimilate us. We supported the ‘ independence of Hong Kong because we believe that under the rule of the Chinese Communist regime it will never become a democratic city. Getting rid of the authoritarian regime is the only way out “.

Why did he run away?
“In 2016, during the so-called fish ball uprising in support of street vendors, I was accused of inciting the riot and illegal assembly. If I had stayed in Hong Kong they would have given me 10 years in prison.”

What do you see in Hong Kong’s future?
“After arriving in Germany many people told me how until the fall of the Wall few believed that the Soviet Union would collapse. Now the future is bleak because China is increasingly oppressive, but I still believe that the Chinese communist regime can happen what happened to the Soviets. Then I could finally go home, to my family and friends. ”

Five activists abroad, including Nathan Law, have just received arrest warrants for calling for a boycott of the elections. Are you also worried about yourself?
“No. With the new national security law they’ve already put me on the wanted list, but my life doesn’t change. That warrant is just a piece of paper.”

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