Exhibition explores Hongkongers history in UK

The exhibition runs at Leeds City Museum until 2 June

A new exhibition has opened in Leeds exploring the lives of some of the people who have moved to the city from Hong Kong.

The display charts Hong Kong's history, from its days as a British colony to the handover to China in 1997, and looks at the recent pro-democracy protests and why thousands of Hongkongers have emigrated to the UK in recent years.

Chloe Cheung, who set up the Hongkongers in Leeds group, estimates more than 4,000 have settled in the city since 2020.

She said she hoped the exhibition would help set out Hong Kong's long connection to the UK.

Chloe Cheung, founder of Hong Kongers in Leeds, speaking at the opening of the exhibition at Leeds City Museum

Since a new visa scheme was introduced by the British government in 2021 more than 160,000 eligible Hongkongers and their family members have have applied to live in the UK.

The scheme was introduced in response to China imposing a controversial new security law in Hong Kong, which the UK said was an erosion of freedoms and rights.

Ms Cheung said people from Hong Kong were settling in "quite well" in Leeds, with regular integration events organised for new arrivals.

"Most Hongkongers feel that the [Leeds] community is really inclusive and really welcoming," she said.

"It has made it really easy for us to integrate in to the city."

The Hong Kong Freedom Fighters exhibition is at Leeds City Museum until 2 June.

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