Hong Kong: Agnes Chow, Protest Leader, Skips Bail
Agnes Chow, an activist for democracy in Hong Kong, has declared her intention to evade police bail, following authorization to journey to Canada for advanced education.
In 2020, Ms Chow was incarcerated due to her participation in the 2019 anti-government demonstrations, but she was set free in 2021.
She remains under scrutiny for "conspiring with overseas entities to threaten national safety".
"Perhaps I'll never go back to Hong Kong in my lifetime," she stated.
Ms Chow announced on a social media post on Sunday, on the occasion of her 27th birthday, that she was accepted into a university in Toronto earlier this year.
However, to retrieve her passport, she was required to journey to mainland China in August under the supervision of five police officers – a journey she had no option but to accept.
"She expressed feeling like she was being watched constantly," she penned down.
She mentioned that she was given a tour of an exhibit showcasing China's progress since its reforms and open policy implementation that began in the late 1970s. She also visited the main office of the tech company Tencent, where she was requested to take pictures.
"She expressed her fear that if she doesn't speak up, her photos may eventually be misconstrued as proof of her "nationalism"."
Ms. Chow stated that upon her return to Hong Kong, she was instructed to pen letters expressing regret for her previous political activities. Additionally, she was asked to show gratitude to the police for arranging the journey, allowing her to witness "the impressive advancements of the homeland".
It was anticipated that Ms Chow would again present herself to the police later this month, as she continues to be scrutinized in relation to pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai's case. The case accuses him of conspiring with overseas entities to threaten China's national security.
She hasn't been accused yet.
She mentioned that her choice was influenced by "the state of Hong Kong, her own security, and her physical and mental wellbeing".
The Hong Kong authorities have not offered any response to the allegations made by Ms Chow.
Ms Chow emerged as a leading figure in the city's pro-democracy campaign and even earned the moniker "the real Mulan", hinting at the iconic Chinese warrior woman who battled to protect her family and nation.
In 2020, she earned a spot on the BBC 100 Women list, an annual compilation of 100 globally recognized women who are influential and inspiring, sharing their personal narratives.
Since the eruption of anti-government protests in 2019, Hong Kong officials have been tightening their grip on pro-democracy advocates in the city. This clampdown reached its peak with the enforcement of the national security law in 2020.
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Hong Kong campaigner Agnes Chow has been freed from jail.
Agnes Chow: The Authentic Mulan of Hong Kong
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