THREAD:
1. With my backpack and small luggage in hand, I boarded my night flight. I had no idea what future awaited me. Only one thing seemed certain. My destination: London.
1. With my backpack and small luggage in hand, I boarded my night flight. I had no idea what future awaited me. Only one thing seemed certain. My destination: London.
2. Then, just before touching touch some 12 hours later, I saw buildings of varying heights beneath a cloudless sky. In this strange land, I began planning for the life ahead of me. There remains so many uncertainties.
3. Every individual decision we make has broader ramifications. We don't live only for ourselves. Thus far I've kept a low profile on my whereabouts in order to mitigate the risks. I never had the opportunity to deliberate much before my departure.
4. Perhaps every Hong Konger has lost much of our imagination and ability think big in the face of political upheaval: If we don't even know if our next protest, next court hearing will be followed by imprisonment, how do we take the long view?
5. These days, I've been speaking to plenty of reporters from the little apartment at which I currently stay. There's always one message I have: Hong Kongers will never give up. We aren't fractured. On the contrary, we're well-equipped to face the next difficult battle.
6. Thank you for all your kind wishes. As I turn 27 today, I can't say I'm anything but anxious and unsettled. I'm not one to celebrate my birthday, especially since Liu Xiaobo's passing on this very day three years ago. There's not much to be cheerful about.
7. My biggest wish is peace to Hong Kongers. We will keep our city and spirit alive.
