Prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist and former legislator Ted Hui says he was allegedly doused with water and verbally threatened by a man while dining at a busy restaurant during a weekend trip to Sydney to catch up with friends and other Hong Kong community members.
He says the incident happened at around 3:30pm local time last Sunday in a Hongkong-style café in a Rhodes shopping centre in Sydney's inner west, when a man sitting at a table behind him suddenly stood up and threw a glass of water at him, drenching his shirt and smartphone.
The man then allegedly called Mr Hui “scum” before making a series of threats of violence. “I would have beaten you up already, if it wasn’t for the large number of people here,” the alleged attacker told him.
Mr Hui says the restaurant was at roughly 70 per cent capacity, and many present appeared to be shocked at what had happened. His companions then started arguing with the alleged attacker, but Mr Hui said he called for calm to “avoid further conflict”.
The man then left the restaurant amid mounting pressure from restaurant-goers and staff members, leaving behind his wife and young son, Mr Hui added.
Ted Hui provided an image of the alleged attacker leaving the scene. Source: Supplied / Ted Hui
When asked about the motivation for the attack, the man’s wife allegedly accused Mr Hui of “betraying China”, before changing the family’s food order to takeaway, Mr Hui recalled.
Read this story in Chinese
【獨家】許智峯雪梨遇襲兼被恐嚇 「基於公眾利益」報警並通報國安部門
Accused of ‘betraying China’
Mr Hui has been a prominent critic of both Hong Kong and China authorities and remains resolutely vocal despite concerns that the Chinese Communist Party is orchestrating a campaign of harassment of dissidents in exile.
He sought refuge in Australia over a year ago after fleeing Hong Kong for Denmark while on bail, with the help of a group of Danish politicians that offered an invitation to speak at a fake environmental conference.
The High Court in Hong Kong in June found Mr Hui guilty in absentia of four counts of contempt of court for fleeing, on top of nine pending criminal charges, including secession and collusion with foreign forces.
Together with subversion and terrorism, the two crimes were prohibited under the “wide-ranging” National Security Law that the Chinese government imposed on Hong Kong in 2020.
Mr Hui says he has reported on Tuesday the incident to the NSW Police Force, with a spokesperson confirming to SBS Chinese that detectives from the Burwood branch had since begun an investigation into the alleged incident.
“The matter is still under investigation and no one has been charged at this stage,” the spokesperson said.
“As those inquiries are ongoing, anyone with information that may be able to assist is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
Ted Hui provided an image of the alleged attacker leaving the scene. Source: Supplied / Ted Hui
However, different from what he had previously experienced, Mr Hui says on this occasion the alleged attacker physically attacked him and verbally threatened him with further violence.
“I have never experienced such uncivilised behaviour in Australia. After careful consideration, I decided to report the matter,” Mr Hui said.
‘A matter of public interest’ that intelligence agencies should know
Mr Hui also provided information related to the incident to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), as well as Australian National Security (ANS).
He explains there is a possibility that the alleged attack could be instigated or planned by secretive operatives working for a foreign power, therefore it was necessary for him to provide all important information to the Federal Police and national security agencies.
“When I exercise my freedom of speech and am physically abused or threatened (in this way), I worry that such attacks might not happen only to myself, but also many other Hongkongers. That is why the Australian government should be aware of the incident,” Mr Hui said.
“This is a matter of public interest, especially for local Hongkongers who may have the same political stance as myself.”
When approached by SBS Chinese, a spokesperson said the AFP had no comment to make on this matter, while a spokesperson for ASIO said the organisation could not comment on individuals or intelligence matters, “consistent with long-standing practice”.
Based in Adelaide since arriving in Australia, Mr Hui was in Sydney during the weekend of the alleged assault to meet up for the very first time with Australian-born Anders Storgaard, one of the Danish politicians who helped him escape the Chinese regime.
‘Meeting an old friend’ for the first time
In an interview with , Mr Storgaard says he admires Mr Hui’s courage in fighting for Hong Kong’s freedom and democracy, despite placing himself into multiple dangerous situations.
Ted Hui met with Danish politician Anders Storgaard in Sydney on Saturday, August 6, 2022. Source: SBS
“Ted is a person that I admire very much. He has risked his life so many times for democracy,” Mr Storgaard said.
“I’ve been so fortunate that I live in a country where I have never have to fear for my life when I speak up for what I believe in,” the local councillor for the Danish region of Frederiksberg said.
“So, when I had the chance to help a person, whom I think is a hero, then for me it was the least I could do.”
Mr Hui says he was grateful for Mr Storgaard’s assistance, and that seeing him was like “meeting an old friend”.
He says he will not refrain from public appearance in light of the alleged attack, and will continue to speak up for the democracy and freedom of Hongkongers.
“It is the right thing to do, and I will not shy away from it,” he said.
