'Asylum For HK Activists Is An Alarming Signal'

Civic Party lawmaker Kwok Ka-ki said on Wednesday that Germany's reported decision to grant two Hong Kong activists refugee status is an "alarming signal" for the SAR and reflects growing international concern about the city's rule of law.

Ray Wong, 25, and Alan Li, 27, have told the New York Times that Berlin granted them both asylum last May. The pair had fled Hong Kong in 2017 while on bail after being charged over the Lunar New Year riot in Mong Kok the previous year.

"This is a very alarming signal. In the eyes of many other countries, Hong Kong is unable to maintain One Country, Two Systems," Kwok told RTHK.

"Our legal system, our court system and our whole administration system is actually at risk of being destroyed by the many events of the past two months and the amendment bill for the fugitive law."

Another pro-democracy lawmaker, Council Front's Au Nok-hin, echoed Kwok's concerns.

He said news of the two Hongkongers being given asylum must serve as a wake-up call for the SAR.

"It is a signal to us that [we must consider] whether we have an appropriate judicial process and whether we really respect different opinions in society," Au said.

Earlier in the day, Justice Secretary Teresa Cheng said she could not comment on the news that the pair have been given sanctuary in Germany because she had seen no evidence to confirm the report.

But Au said the matter relates to Hong Kong's international reputation and the government is obliged to respond to the public's concerns on this.