Navigating exile – mobilisation of the Hongkongers in Europe amid transnational repression

This research focuses on how the fragmented nature of the European Hong Kong diaspora shapes its political mobilisation. The study will explore how the diaspora navigates ideological and strategic divisions while striving to maintain collective action. It will examine how these divisions affect their capacity for transnational solidarity and how varying political ideologies and personal histories influence their activism. Additionally, the research will investigate how transnational repression impacts the diaspora’s efforts to influence European policy and draw attention to Hong Kong’s ongoing repression. Central to this research is the extraterritorial reach of Hong Kong’s National Security Law (NSL), which has heightened the risks activists face, compelling many to self-censor or adopt low-profile advocacy strategies. These dynamics complicate efforts to build cohesive movements across Europe and highlight the tension between unity and individuality in political exile.