16/08/2025
I would not 'congratulate', but would wish Ted every success in his life in Australia. And hope he would enjoy this safer position to continue speaking up for Hong Kongers.💪
自我於 2021 年 3 月抵達澳洲起，至今已近四年半。昨天，我收到澳洲內政部的書面通知，向我批出庇護簽證（Protection visa），正式確認我於《1951年關於難民地位》的國際公約下的庇護身份（asylum status），並容許我以永久居民身份在澳洲居住。除我本人外，同行的太太、兒女及父母，亦以家屬身份同時獲批相同簽證。
收到消息，內心百感交集。
生活層面上，總算可為家人鬆一口氣。庇護下的永居身份，掃除了他們長期面對的種種不確定性與壓力——例如將來會在哪個國家生活、如何升學、就業、安老等——讓他們可以作更長遠的規劃。
然而，當身邊的人向我說「恭喜」時，我雖客氣道謝，心中難免戚然。試問，要如何恭喜一個思念家鄉的政治難民呢？我明白友人的好意，為我境況安穩而欣慰。但庇護的身份，在情感上猶如確認——能夠回家的日子仍然遙遠。
我曾說過：「流亡不是移民。」這句話至今依然是我的信念。若不是因為面對政治逼害，我從未想過要在外地生活。移民的人，總可隨時回鄉探親；流亡的人，卻是有家歸不得。不時聽到移民港人朋友談起「返香港」，在我耳中，是一番滋味。
話雖如此，相比四年前，如今我對澳洲有更多一份認同感。這或許源於這四年來，我在澳洲生活、參與政治遊說工作時，加深了對本地社會的認識，也結識了許多重視民主與自由價值的本地人。他們對我，及對香港抗爭運動的支持，讓我更加喜愛及珍惜這片自由的土地。
政治上，這次澳洲政府向我批出庇護簽證，別具意義。在工黨政府帶領下，澳中關係「穩定化」，雙邊貿易改善。許多評論擔心澳洲會對中國採取綏靖政策，為了維持貿易往來和本土經濟，而避免在民主、自由等普世價值上向中國表明反對立場。
今次澳洲政府決定向我這位香港國安「懸紅通緝犯」批出庇護簽證，其背後的意義，不僅在於讓我獲得永久居留權，更在於落實國際法下的「不遣返義務」——禁止締約國以任何方式將難民驅逐或遣返回到其生命或自由可能因政治觀點而受威脅的國家。雖然澳洲與香港之間的引渡協議目前處於暫停狀態，但即使日後協議恢復，在我已獲庇護身份的情況下，亦已排除了任何因政治理由而將我遣返的可能性。
眾所周知，我被港共通緝，事源於2019年的香港抗爭運動——從街頭示威，到其後的議會抗爭、民主派初選，以及持續為香港的民主與自由發聲倡議——因而被冠上國安惡法下的多項罪名。今次澳洲政府的決定，不僅是庇護制度的具體體現，更是一種基於民主與自由價值的取態。此舉以實際行動揭示並確認中共在香港踐踏人權的惡行，確保在這一背景下的香港人應受國際法保障，免於中共獨裁政權的政治逼害。這項決定是對北京的一個有力表態，客觀彰顯了澳洲在香港民主議題上的立場。
我謹用以下聲明，回應及感謝澳洲政府對我批出庇護簽證：
Statement on the Grant of Protection Visa
On 15 August 2025, I received formal notification from the Australian Department of Home Affairs that I have been granted asylum in Australia through the grant of a Protection Visa. This visa extends not only to me, but also to my wife, children, and parents who live with me in Adelaide.
First and foremost, I express my sincere gratitude to the Government of Australia—both present and former—for recognising our need for asylum and granting us this protection. In thanking the Government, I also thank the people of Australia, whom it represents. This decision reflects values of freedom, justice, and compassion that my family will never take for granted.
I also wish to thank those who influenced and supported this outcome: parliamentarians, human rights organisations, community leaders, and countless advocates who spoke up for Hong Kong’s freedom. They welcomed me and my fellow Hongkongers not as fugitives or people on the run, but with understanding and respect for our cause.
Australia’s support began even before my arrival. I was admitted during the COVID lockdown, when international borders were closed, and even as a temporary resident I was treated with dignity. The Australian Government also stood firm with public statements of support at moments when the long arm of transnational repression reached me here. These acts of trust and solidarity are things my family and I will never forget.
For us, this asylum is never something to be taken for granted. We tried hard to explain to Australian society why and how we in Hong Kong lost our freedom—why we had to leave a homeland we love and where our most precious memories remain. That freedom was not surrendered, but taken by repression, even as we fought to defend it; and in standing for democracy, we were driven into exile.
At the same time, we believe asylum also carries responsibility. My family and I are determined to give back to Australia in every way we can—through our work, our civic engagement, and our commitment to the values of democracy and freedom. What we have received here is not only safety, but a chance to rebuild with dignity; and we wish to honour that chance by serving this society and this land that has given us so much.
Finally, I make a humble request: that in granting me protection, the Australian Government not forget those in Hong Kong who still suffer in prison. Men and women like Jimmy Lai, the defendants in the 47 democrats case, and the leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance etc. face long sentences simply for defending basic democratic rights. Australia must do more to rescue them and to speak up for their humanity. Its stance matters internationally, and its protection of Hongkongers sets a precedent for other democracies.
