Prominent Hong Kong opposition activist Agnes Chow Ting has announced that she is currently residing in Canada and has no plans to return to Hong Kong despite being required to report to the police as part of an ongoing national security investigation. In a social media post on Sunday, Chow stated that she had been living in Canada for the past three months and cited concerns for her personal safety, physical and mental health, and the deteriorating situation in Hong Kong as reasons for her decision to stay abroad.

Chow, who co-founded the now-disbanded Demosisto party alongside fellow activists Joshua Wong Chi-fung and Nathan Law Kwun-chung, had gained considerable popularity as a leading figure in Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement. Her proficiency in Japanese had also drawn a significant following on social media in Japan.

The activist revealed that she surrendered her passport as part of the national security investigation but was later allowed to retrieve it after agreeing to participate in a trip arranged by the police to Shenzhen. The visit aimed to familiarize Chow with China's achievements, including an exhibition on the country's opening up and a tour of Tencent's headquarters. Chow expressed fear and apprehension during her journey to Shenzhen, emphasizing her distress over the border crossing.

Chow stated that accusations of deceiving national security authorities were unfounded, noting that she had initially intended to return to Hong Kong by the end of December and had only made the decision to remain in Canada due to concerns that additional restrictions would be imposed upon her return. She asserted her desire for personal autonomy and to avoid being coerced into actions she does not support.

With her current residence in Canada, Chow expressed relief that she no longer needs to worry about further arrests, enabling her to speak her mind and engage in activities of her choice. The announcement comes after Chow's release from a 10-month prison sentence in December 2020 related to her involvement in the 2019 anti-government protests, during which she was found guilty of charges related to the siege of police headquarters. Following her release in June 2021, Chow has maintained a low profile on social media.

It is worth noting that Agnes Chow's former party colleague, Nathan Law, has already left Hong Kong after the imposition of the Beijing-decreed national security law, while Joshua Wong remains in custody due to his alleged involvement in an unofficial primary election deemed as a plot to subvert state power.

As Chow continues to reside in Canada, her decision not to return to Hong Kong underscores the ongoing challenges faced by pro-democracy activists in the city and raises concerns about the personal liberties and safety of those involved in political dissent.