Joshua Wong: Spirit of Hong Kongers will still go forward

Afraid of being picked up by government agents at any time, a leading Hong Kong pro-democracy activist said it was "kind of a miracle" he was still able speak freely, almost two months after China's security law was implemented in the city. Joshua Wong expressed astonishment that he was still at liberty to address Edinburgh's International Book Festival from Hong Kong.He noted that he had been tailed by a car with a China-Hong Kong licence plate just two hours prior to the event."Everyday (while) I sleep, I also need to worry about (whether) the government will come to arrest me immediately, storm into my house, 5:00 am in the morning, just like what was experienced by Jimmy Lai," said Wong.

Lai, a Hong Kong media tycoon and critic of China's ruling Communist Party, was arrested on Aug. 10 in the highest-profile detention as yet under a new national security law that took effect in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory on Jun. 30.Lai was held for 36 hours on suspicion of colluding with a foreign country or entity. He was released on bail.Wong said he had also faced verbal abuse from pro-Beijing individuals when walking his dog at Hong Kong's famous vantage point, Victoria Peak.

"I think those are the common tactics that they used to targeted pro-democracy activists," he said. But compared to others, he added, "the price I pay is comparatively small.""Even Hong Kong is not Hong Kong anymore. But with the spirit of Hong Kongers, we still go forward in this uphill battle.

(Image Credit: AP)