“I was threatened with ten years in prison”

Interview by Friederike Biron

Mr. Wong, in December the government critic and former publisher Jimmy Lai was sentenced to twenty years in prison for “conspiracy to collaborate with foreign forces.” Did the verdict surprise you?
We know how bad the situation in Hong Kong is. Lai is one of the most important figures in the democracy movement there and, as a result, is a primary target of the Hong Kong government. That doesn’t make it any less sad: Lai is 78 years old and in poor health. I hope that governments in Europe and America will continue to stand up for him.

But right now many Western governments are currently trying to move closer to China—also because the U.S. is no longer viewed as a reliable partner.
Sometimes I get the impression that here in Germany, people see the U.S. as a greater threat to democracy than China. I understand where that feeling comes from: in the past, Germans and Americans were closely connected, but because of Donald Trump, Europe now feels betrayed. But the fact remains: China is still an authoritarian regime, and the U.S. is still a democracy. Many people are guided largely by emotions when it comes to looking at international politics.

So in comparison, China appears to be a responsible international actor?
Yes, but that’s only how it appears. In reality, terrible things happen in China every day, for example in the re-education camps in Xinjiang.

“But what is the price of this progress? It is exploitation, forced labor, lack of freedom”

At the same time, there are social media trends like “Chinamaxxing,” where a supposed Chinese lifestyle is celebrated. Is this a coincidence?
The more I try to understand the system in China, the less I believe that relevant social media phenomena are random. In these trends—like “Europe is slow, China is advanced”—there is a grain of truth. But what is the price of that progress? It is exploitation, forced labor, and lack of freedom. That is usually not addressed on social media.

You yourself were arrested several times during the Umbrella Revolution pro-democracy protests. What were you accused of back then, when you were just 17?
During my time as an activist in Hong Kong, I was arrested six times and eventually charged with organizing illegal gatherings. I was threatened with ten years in prison, which is why I decided to flee to Germany. I was the first Hong Konger to be granted asylum by a European country. I’m grateful for that.

Here in Germany, you founded the association “Freedom for Hong Kong,” and you continue to fight for democracy in your homeland.
I exchange views with politicians about the situation in Hong Kong to try and keep it on the agenda. Since Germany is economically very dependent on China, there are many red lines it cannot cross. This kind of subnational influence is a typical strategy used by China.

Can you give an example?
Take, for instance, city partnerships like the one between Wuhan and Duisburg, whose port is also meant to be an endpoint of the “New Silk Road.” Such partnerships serve solely to push the party’s interests. This strategy is clearly described in Chinese party documents.

“I do sense that Chinese agents are keeping an eye on me”

Why is Hong Kong so important for the interests of the Communist Party?
Hong Kong is a financial hub, but also a diplomatic one. Many countries still negotiate with Hong Kong differently than with China. And for Russia, it plays a crucial role in circumventing sanctions, for example for dual-use goods that can be used for both civilian and military purposes.

Do you feel safe in Germany?
I do sense that Chinese agents are keeping an eye on me, and they regularly try to hack my emails. But I feel okay here. I know that transnational repression is a major issue for the current German government, and both the Interior Ministry and the Foreign Office are working to ensure the safety of dissidents in Germany. Of course, China is trying to intimidate us, but I still trust in the German government.

Do you think you will ever be able to return to Hong Kong, even just as a visitor?
I always have hope. Many East Germans have told me that they didn’t believe reunification would happen—and yet it did. The Communist Party of China is very powerful. But a regime can look very strong one day and suddenly collapse the next.

What place in Hong Kong do you long for most?
The mountains. I used to ride up there on my road bike or motorcycle and look out over the city skyline. I would really love to go back there.