Kris Cheng

London-based Hong Kong journalist covering UK/EU/US-China relations, Diplomacy, Greater China stories. Reports in @hkfp @VOANews @nikkeiasia

[Kris Cheng @krislc]

Construction of new Chinese embassy can go ahead after High Court challenge dismissed https://t.co/bjuKzj06Iw

[Kris Cheng @krislc]

More details of issue at BBC Hong Kong bureau:

[The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation @thecfhk]

🚨 The @BBC's Hong Kong bureau just decided it no longer needed the services of five long-serving staff, including correspondent @dannydvincent.

They were made redundant with immediate effect and no explanation.

As our advisory board member, Charles Moore, Baron Moore of Etchingham, writes in his @spectator column, several had complained of bullying and their bosses’ growing reluctance to report stories displeasing to the Beijing-controlled government.

So who was responsible for the decision?

An editor called Vikram Gopinath — hired in March 2025 after working for 12 years at CGTN, China's state broadcaster.

CGTN is a propaganda arm of an authoritarian regime and not a news service. It is banned in the U.K.

Hong Kong needs reporters willing to expose injustice and the ever-intensifying national security crackdown.

How did a man whose only prior experience appears to be in "telling China's story well" get to wield the knife on so many experienced reporters?

As Lord Moore asks, "Do the bosses at New Broadcasting House (@BBCWorld) know what is happening?"

https://t.co/lB1hFwRyAJ

[Kanis Leung @kanis_leung]

On this day last year, former Macao prodemocracy lawmaker Au Kam San was arrested. A year on, little is known about his case even by his daughter. He faced restrictions including on choice of lawyer, raising concerns over the fairness of a future trial.
https://t.co/xeDPR8zABn

[Li Yuan袁莉 @LiYuan6]

I profiled a former Xinjiang police who showed courage in coming forward as a witness to injustice against the Uyghurs. But he is asking for sth more than praise; he wants to be recognized as a victim himself — a victim of the apparatus he was part of. https://t.co/72Qkn3TicI

[Luke de Pulford @lukedepulford]

An extremely gracious letter from Wu Chi-wai, but the real credit goes to @RTHondavehanson who intervened rapidly (on a Sunday) to sort this out.

Clearly, there's an issue with the way Border Force is dealing with NSL and public order convicts. Needs addressing urgently.

[IFJ Asia-Pacific @ifjasiapacific]

#HongKong🇭🇰: The IFJ has expressed serious concern over the dismissal of five journalists at the BBC's Hong Kong bureau following years of alleged bullying and reports of pressure on staff over their participation in the Hong Kong Journalists Association. https://t.co/msBPl6oEUV

[Kris Cheng @krislc]

@pingu_pinguping Normally if one applies for a BNO visa the criteria is pretty straightforward. It only becomes messy when someone who holds a BNO passport but not a visa shows up at border to say they want to enter as a tourist, and may apply for a visa later.

[Kris Cheng @krislc]

BBC reports that Wu Chi-wai was refused entry & given immigration bail since he mentioned he planned to live with family in the UK in the long run; he has few social, economic & financial connections with Hong Kong (parents passed away, wife & son in UK)

https://t.co/2BP6WBoT4B

[Kris Cheng @krislc]

Wu Chi-wai has been allowed to stay in UK for six months.

[Kris Cheng @krislc]

BBC reports that Wu Chi-wai was refused entry & given immigration bail since he mentioned he planned to live with family in the UK in the long run; he has few social, economic & financial connections with Hong Kong (parents passed away, wife & son in UK)

https://t.co/2BP6WBoT4B

[Kris Cheng @krislc]

@pingu_pinguping BNO status holders can apply for visa but it’s not a guarantee that they will get it. For this case the problem is the inconsistency between
a. you can apply for BNO visa in UK
b. if you say you are here to apply for BNO visa then you are refused entry

[Kanis Leung @kanis_leung]

After spending more than five years in Hong Kong’s prison, former pro-democracy lawmaker Wu Chi-wai finally got to embrace his wife and son in London last week. But he could be sent back to the Chinese territory in days. His story:
https://t.co/zieOgrRiqG

[Kris Cheng @krislc]

"He was informed that he could apply for BN(O) status within the UK by the British Consulate in Hong Kong.

Mr Wu has now entered the UK under temporary admission while officially refused, meaning the threat of deportation remains pending review."

[Hong Kong Watch @hk_watch]

🇬🇧 Hong Kong Watch remains deeply concerned about the treatment of #HongKong political prisoners by @UKBorder and urges @ukhomeoffice to ensure that no other prisoner of conscience will face threats of deportation when seeking refuge in the UK.

https://t.co/MOAi4yoG3G

[Kris Cheng @krislc]

@MPascalH It's a good idea, but not sure how that will be implemented in the UK!

[Kris Cheng @krislc]

Home Office guidance:

"The only circumstances where you must disregard overseas offending is where it relates to conduct that would not be criminal in the UK, for example: homosexuality or membership of a trade union."

https://t.co/BFePm0XFPH

[Kris Cheng @krislc]

Later reports have said Wu Chi-wai has entered the UK after being detained for around 10 hours. However, he may face further issues when applying for the BN(O) visa for his “criminal” record of over 12 months — even though UK gov at the highest level doesn’t see it as a crime

[Kris Cheng @krislc]

@MPascalH but then the question will become whether there should be a “special list” whenever they apply for something they are automatically sent to higher ups to review instead

[Kris Cheng @krislc]

@MPascalH Yes, unlikely to deport. Similar cases have happened e.g. when an activist with a bounty applies for settlement, she declared her “criminality” and the application was stalled. It was sorted once minister was notified

https://t.co/IZ7QvURgia

[Kris Cheng @krislc]

@MPascalH I think the rules are clear for crimes that UK doesn’t recognise. It may be that in pratice, frontline officers don’t usually understand all sorts of special cases, and tell everyone with a lengthy criminal record they may be deported, until a higher up steps in.

[Kris Cheng @krislc]

@MPascalH The Times report contains a bit of confusion that we don’t know if Wu is applying for asylum or BN(O) visa (Wu is not making further comments). You are right per asylum; I am just saying if he’s going for BN(O) visa route, he may get it through the exemption.

[Kris Cheng @krislc]

Later reports have said Wu Chi-wai has entered the UK after being detained for around 10 hours. However, he may face further issues when applying for the BN(O) visa for his “criminal” record of over 12 months — even though UK gov at the highest level doesn’t see it as a crime

[The Times and Sunday Times @thetimes]

Jailed Hong Kong democracy leader told he is to be deported from UK https://t.co/e6YYp3Xanq

[Kris Cheng @krislc]

However, 39 people remain on the sanctions list because they were sanctioned under the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 or the Hong Kong Autonomy Act of 2020.

[Kris Cheng @krislc]

Ming Pao: 9 HK & Chinese officials removed from US sanctions list following the decision. They include 4 incumbent officials:
Justice sec Paul Lam
Secretary General of National Security Committee Sonny Au
Director for the Office for Safeguarding National Security Dong Jingwei

[Kris Cheng @krislc]

New: Chinese Ministry of Commerce welcomed US decision not extend Hong Kong-related national emergency under Executive Order 13936 that stripped special trade status, calling it an important step in implementing consensus reached during China-US economic and trade consultations

[Kris Cheng @krislc]

and Assistant Commissioner of National Security Police Dick Wong.

Others are two ex-police heads, former assistant head of NS police, two former China Liaison Office deputies.

https://t.co/lUC0oOE2n5