Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong to fight for seat in legislature in defiance of the new security law
- Hong Kong is set to hold elections for the city’s 70-seat legislature in September
- Joshua Wong was one of the 16 candidates emerged from unofficial primaries
- The prominent activist Monday applied to run for a seat in the government body
- Critics fear Beijing may use the security law to thwart pro-democracy politicians
Hong Kong’s leading pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong has filed candidacy papers for upcoming legislative elections in the city.
Mr Wong was one of the 16 candidates emerging from unofficial primaries held by the pro-democracy camp as it aims to win a majority of seats in the 70-seat legislature in the September elections.
But critics fear that the sweeping security law may be used by Beijing to thwart pro-democracy candidates of the semi-autonomous territory’s legislature.
Hong Kong’s leading pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong has filed candidacy papers for upcoming legislative elections in the city. Pictured, Mr Wong with the nomination papers on Monday as he files his candidacy in Hong Kong’s Legislative Council elections in September
Mr Wong was one of the top candidates emerging from unofficial primaries held by the pro-democracy camp as it aims to win a majority of seats in the 70-seat legislature in the September elections. Pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong speaks to the press as he announces his intention to run for the Legislative Council general election in Hong Kong
Critics fear that the sweeping security law may be used by Beijing to thwart pro-democracy candidates of the semi-autonomous territory’s legislature. This file picture taken on Sunday shows a riot police officer in Hong Kong detaining a man during a protest at a shopping mall
The pro-democracy activist is seen on Monday posing with the nomination papers as he files for his candidacy in the Legislative Council elections in September.
Mr Wong told reporters: ‘We hope to let the world to know how we choose not to surrender, how we choose not to kowtow to China.’
The sweeping law bans secessionist, subversive and terrorist acts, as well as banning colluding with foreign forces to intervene in the city’s affairs.
The leading pro-democracy activist is pictured on Monday posing with the nomination papers as he files for his candidacy in the Legislative Council elections in September in Hong Kong
The picture taken on July 15 shows the activist Joshua Wong (left), along with 15 other winners of the democratic primaries, speaks to reporters during a press conference in Hong Kong
The 23-year-old Mr Wong has been imprisoned twice for participating in 2014 pro-democracy protests. The file picture taken on July 11 shows Joshua Wong posing with other candidates while campaigning during a primary election held by democratic parties in Hong Kong
The law also states that anyone convicted of endangering national security will be disqualified from running in city elections or holding public office.
The 23-year-old Mr Wong has been imprisoned twice for participating in 2014 pro-democracy protests. He also regularly speaks out against Beijing’s tightening control over the city and often meets with elected officials and politicians from the US and other countries.
He said: ‘With the threat of being extradited to China, with the uncertainty of being sent to a black jail in Beijing, with the possibility of facing a life sentence … I still hope to run for office and receive people’s mandate, and let the world know that we will continue our fight until our last breath.’
Pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong is pictured in Hong Kong on Monday as he files for his candidacy in the Legislative Council elections in September in defiance of the security law
A woman points her finger at police officers during a protest in a shopping mall in Hong Kong
In 2017, four pro-democracy legislators including Nathan Law were unseated from the legislature after a court found that they had not taken their oaths and pledged allegiance to Beijing appropriately.
Two other pro-democracy representatives were disqualified in 2016 for invalidated oaths.
Mr Law fled Hong Kong for the UK after the security law was enacted and has said he will continue advocating for democracy in Hong Kong while abroad.