I fled China to live in Adelaide but fear their spies could snatch my kids: Hong Kong dissident Ted Hui on his new life in exile

A former Hong Kong politician and democracy activist living in exile in Adelaide says China’s tentacles could reach here – and the Premier should reconsider his Beijing trip.

A former Hong Kong politician and pro-democracy activist living in South Australian exile fears his children could be snatched for ransom.

In an outspoken interview, defiant Adelaide-based Ted Hui, 41, warned of China’s “growing threat” as he criticised a planned Premier’s Chinese trip and urged political leaders to be “harder” on the communist regime.

He raised fears of an emotional toll, and security risk, to family and friends, but refused to hire security as it “can’t defeat me at all”.

Mr Hui, who has an official bounty on his head, criticised Hong Kong police’s arrest efforts, under the territory’s draconian national security law.

The former politician said while he never wanted to leave Hong Kong, he and his family loved living in Adelaide. Picture: Emma Brasier

He also said he was wary of Chinese spies and despite always feeling he was being watched, felt safe living in his inner-suburban home.

“As long as I’m in the free country they can’t do anything (or) lock me up,” he said.

“But my family can be targets. One day my (child) can disappear. And then a lot of phone calls seeking a ransom ‘you’d better return to Hong Kong and China, and then (they) would be free’. So things like that can happen. I think that’s more likely than anything … through legal means.”

He urged the federal government to be “harder” on China and criticised Premier Peter Malinauskas over a planned Chinese trip in September.

“I’m … urging the Australian government to be harder on China and if putting up a sanctions isn’t … very practical, then at least having less economic or trade reliance on China,” he said. “I think that’s very important gestures … they are authoritarian regimes.”

Ted Hui (left) and Kevin Yam with Foreign Minister Penny Wong in January at the Australian government offices in Adelaide. On Monday, the Hong Kong police announced they two have been accused of “collusion”. Picture: Supplied

Asked about Mr Malinauskas’ trip, he said: “I wouldn’t want him to go personally.

“You’re just sending a very confusing message that there are things … more important than human rights.”

Mr Hui, a father-of-two and lawyer, spoke out after authorities last week detailed rewards for the capture of eight campaigners.

The “political refugee”, who works at a CBD law firm on a bridging visa, condemned the $HK1m ($191,800) bounty as a “waste of time” and trickery.

“It’s a message … to deter. It’s like white terror. It’s like an emotional toll,” he said.

Mr Hui, a churchgoer, fled Hong Kong in 2021. He quit as a legislative councillor after spearheading widespread protests against extradition laws.

Despite his exile, Hong Kong’s high court last year jailed him on contempt of court and misconduct charges that he denied.

He revealed his happy family included a promising cellist daughter, 11, a nine-year-old son, who is a talented chess player and his wife, 39, who enjoyed childcare work.

Ted Hui, a pro-democracy legislator, is arrested during a protest in the Causeway Bay district of Hong Kong, China, on Friday, June 12, 2020. Picture: Justin Chin/Bloomberg via Getty Images

In a wide-ranging interview, Mr Hui:

SAID his family, including his Adelaide-based sister and parents, as well as a wide circle of friends were wary of Chinese spies;

WAS fearful of his children being snatched for ransom but refused to hire security;

FELT safe living in his inner suburban home despite always feeling being watched;

NEVER wanted to flee his homeland to Australia via Europe but felt he was forced to leave;

REJECTED the unfair HK legal system, which left him with no confidence for a fair trial.

WOULD return to Hong Kong once it was “free”;

LOVED Adelaide for its fresh air, freedom and open space;

REVEALED his family were very happy – his daughter, 11, was a promising cello player, his nine year-old son was a talented chess player while his wife, 39, enjoyed her childcare work;

RULED out seeking Australian political office but said he would lobby more about China;

HOPED to be granted permanent residency and then Australian citizenship;

MISSED everything about Hong Kong especially seeing his “comrades”;

LIKES practising human rights, constitutional and administrative law.

“I can do whatever political advocacy here I want without fear of being locked up. And more practically, especially for my family,” he said.

Pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui Chi-fung is removed by security during a scuffle with pro Beijing lawmakers at the House Committee's election of vice chairpersons, at the Legislative Council on May 22, 2020 in Hong Kong, China. Picture: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images

A Hong Kong government spokesman said the police had a responsibility for justice.

“The fugitives should not have any delusion that they could evade their legal liabilities by absconding,” he said.

Speaking in Indonesia on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she “consistently” raised concerns about Hong Kong’s security laws.

Mr Malinauskas said: “Given the appropriate opportunity I’ll always be wanting to be on the front foot regarding human rights concerns more broadly.” His spokesman said he “will travel in accordance” with Foreign Affairs advice.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has criticised the “just unacceptable” bounties.

Originally published as I fled China to live in Adelaide but fear their spies could snatch my kids: Hong Kong dissident Ted Hui on his new life in exile