Former Hong Kong opposition lawmaker and social welfare veteran Fernando Cheung migrates to Canada, saying ‘basic freedoms’ protected there
- His departure with family was confirmed by pollster Chung Kim-wah, who has also left city for Britain, citing ‘threats from powerful bodies’
- Cheung, 65, is known for championing causes for ethnic minority groups and helping underprivileged during his time in office
Former opposition lawmaker and social welfare veteran Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung has left Hong Kong with his family to migrate to Toronto, Canada, saying that at least his “basic freedoms no longer need to be granted by those in power”.
Cheung’s departure on Sunday was confirmed by Chung Kim-wah, deputy executive director of the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute, who left the city for Britain on April 25, citing “threats from powerful bodies” and fears over crossing “moving red lines”.
“I wish my respected friend Cheung Chiu-hung and his family a happy life in Canada,” Chung wrote on Facebook on Wednesday morning.
Cheung, 65, known for championing causes for ethnic minority groups and helping the underprivileged during his time at the legislature until 2020, has a son and two daughters, including one with a severe intellectual disability.
Replying to Chung’s post on Facebook, Cheung said on Wednesday: “In my current situation, I need to spend more time taking care of my daughter and my family. Being a caregiver is not easy. We are still close to each other, no matter in any corner of the world, and we will never forget why we started.
“I am not yet in a stable situation now, but at least it is safe, and my basic freedoms no longer need to be granted by those in power.”
Former opposition lawmaker Bottle Shiu Ka-chun also confirmed on social media that Cheung had bade farewell to the city, adding that like many others, Cheung left Hong Kong “unwillingly”.
“This was what I told him when he boarded the plane: Thank you for fighting for Hong Kong until the last moment. Stay safe and take care of yourself. Fer, with countless vivid memories – in the classroom, on the streets, in Legco, courtroom and prison – goodbye to you,” he wrote.
