HONG KONG – Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Wu Chi-wai has been allowed to stay in the United Kingdom as a visitor, his lawyer said Tuesday, enabling him to reunite with his family after spending more than five years behind bars in the city.
Paul Harris, Wu’s lawyer, told The Associated Press early Tuesday that British immigration officials had notified his legal team in writing that Wu, a former chairman of what was once Hong Kong’s largest pro-democracy party, had been granted permission to remain in the U.K. as a visitor for six months. Wu’s family lives in Britain.
Wu declined to comment.
The decision by British authorities followed mounting concern from human rights groups, Hong Kong residents in the U.K. and people in the Chinese territory after Wu entered Britain last week on seven-day immigration bail.
Wu was among 47 activists charged in 2021 in the largest Hong Kong case brought under the Beijing-imposed national security law, legislation that has sharply curtailed the city’s once-vibrant democracy movement. In 2024, he was sentenced to four years and five months in prison for conspiracy to commit subversion over his involvement in an unofficial primary election.
In an interview with the AP on Sunday, Wu said he had initially been permitted to remain in Britain only until Wednesday because U.K. border officials believed he might have intentions beyond a short visit, including seeking long-term residency. He said he feared the restriction would disrupt his chance to spend time with his family after years apart, and that the immigration record could complicate future trips to see them in the U.K.
The Home Office confirmed Monday local time that Wu would not be removed on Wednesday and that he had been granted permission to enter the United Kingdom.
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Associated Press writer Brian Melley in London contributed to this report.
