On the afternoon of July 26th, Pastor Jiang Jiawei in Vancouver received news from a friend that he was wanted by the Hong Kong government. As the first Speaker of the Hong Kong Parliament, currently seeking political refugee status as a fugitive from Hong Kong, he expressed that he was uplifted rather than shocked by the news.
Hong Kong police announced on July 25th the wanted list of 19 individuals, accusing them of involvement in “subversive organizations” such as the “Hong Kong Parliament” and violating the “Hong Kong version of the National Security Law.” Jiang Jiawei’s name was among the list of 19 people.
Jiang Jiawei stated, “In fact, the Hong Kong police had made prior arrangements. For example, our bank accounts had been frozen a few days ago; suddenly, all our elected council members and some who hadn’t taken the oath had their family members in Hong Kong visited by national security officers.”
He added that his family is still in Hong Kong, and even though they have all signed agreements to sever ties, they were still interrogated.
When asked if he was mentally prepared for being wanted, Jiang Jiawei said, “My mental preparation for being wanted or arrested was well-trained during the time of the Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill movement; I was arrested nine times and spent time in jail twice.”
He explained, “One of those times, I was detained by the National Security Agency because I published a book documenting the events of the Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill movement, and they arrested me on charges of incitement. Therefore, this ‘training’ for me and my family has become like ‘eating vegetables,’ we have adapted to it.”
Jiang Jiawei was arrested nine times on charges such as obstruction, illegal assembly, and election fraud, sentenced to prison twice, and spent approximately a year in jail. He mentioned facing threats and intimidation throughout his activism.
Reflecting on his political journey, Jiang Jiawei revealed that prior to being imprisoned, he had intentions of forming the Hong Kong Parliament due to his involvement in the founding of a media outlet called Free Hong Kong Media during the Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill movement.
After being released from prison in June 2023, making his way to Taiwan and later to Canada seeking political asylum, Jiang Jiawei emphasized that the establishment of the Hong Kong Parliament is a step towards achieving democracy in Hong Kong, aiming to write a constitution, hold referendums for self-determination, and other aspirations.
In response to being wanted by the Hong Kong government, several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, swiftly condemned the actions. Canadian officials spoke out against the Hong Kong authorities’ attempt to suppress individuals overseas, emphasizing the need to uphold international human rights obligations.
Jiang Jiawei expressed gratitude towards the Canadian government for their support and quick response to protect Hong Kong individuals facing persecution. He highlighted how the government had offered protection to other activists previously, indicating a commitment to upholding democratic values.
Jiang Jiawei also mentioned that despite the threats and challenges faced, he intends to focus on his work within the Hong Kong Parliament and address any unforeseen circumstances. He emphasized the importance of speaking out for those who cannot voice their grievances and standing up for the values they believe in.