Pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong filed candidacy papers on Monday for upcoming legislative elections in Hong Kong, where the new national security law could prevent opposition candidates from taking seats.
Wong was one of the top candidates emerging from unofficial primaries held by the pro-democracy camp as it aims to win a majority of seats in the 70-seat legislature in the September elections.
“We hope to let the world to know how we choose not to surrender, how we choose not to kowtow to China,” Wong told reporters.
Critics of the national security law Beijing imposed on the semi-autonomous territory on June 30 fear it may be used to thwart pro-democracy candidates.
The sweeping law bans secessionist, subversive and terrorist acts, as well as banning colluding with foreign forces to intervene in the city's affairs. The law also states that anyone convicted of endangering national security will be disqualified from running in city elections or holding public office.
The 23-year-old Wong has been imprisoned twice for participating in 2014 pro-democracy protests. He also regularly speaks out against Beijing's tightening control over the city and often meets with lawmakers and politicians from the U.S. And other countries.