We fled Beijing thugs to live in UK’s ‘Little Hong Kong’… it was voted one of UK’s worst towns – but we feel free

HONGKONGERS who fled the menacing grip of Chinese crackdowns say they finally feel "free" in the UK.

Since January 2021, over 125,000 have arrived from the ex-British colony as President Xi Jinping brings the peninsula under full Chinese control.

As human rights are shredded and schoolkids indoctrinated by propaganda, thousands like Judi Chung have made a home in Sutton, South London.

Accompanying her mum Estelle on her first trip to the UK to buy a home, the 40-year-old told The Sun: "We have a child.

"We don't want the next generation under the control of China. The whole government is now from China.

"We cannot speak about anything we want to, it's horrible. Sometimes we are afraid we will be put in jail."

And Estelle told how she knows "fourteen -year-olds" caged by China's evil 'People's Police' for opposing Beijing.

The 69-year-old added: "They [China] finish your life.

"We are concerned about the CCP changing policies, Hong Kong government is now under China, everything China say, we do immediately.

"They tell the young Hongkongers to go back into China and learn, it's 're-education' programs.

"Sutton is nice, quiet and I like the old buildings."

The arrival of Hong Kong nationals via the UK government re-settlement programme has flown under the radar for a number of years.

Arriving with healthy bank accounts, hungry to work and get their kids into schools, many require little help other than English classes.

Sutton, despite being voted one of the worst places to live in London, has proved a massive hit with Hongkongers.

Hong Kong government is now under China, everything China say, we do immediately

Estelle Chung, Hongkonger looking for a house in Sutton

Locals said the Asian population in the area already, good schools and 30 minute overground trains into central London are a huge draw.

Hongkongers have left behind what was once a global centre for free trade and commerce with hundreds of Western-facing businesses.

They now enjoy high street favourites Poundland, Lidl and Starbucks as well as Cantonese supermarkets and takeaways.

And many are renting flats in 20-storey Sienna House, a stones throw from the station, as they wait to buy new homes.

Remarkably, a local estate agent in Sutton - where the average property sells for £524,000 - said 50-percent of sales are now to Hongkongers.

They said some agents have property brochures in Cantonese and have teams of native speakers on hand to assist sales.

Xi Jinping began his slow re-capturing of Hong Kong throughout the 2010s via legislation which chipped away at civil liberties.

It triggered protests in 2019 and hundreds were arrested, media outlets shutdown and social media monitored and censored.

Rigged elections saw Hong Kong nationalists wiped out and fierce pro-Beijing quangos installed as part of China's Politburo takeover.

Last October, President Xi Jinping chillingly announced "full control over Hong Kong" had been achieved.

SCHOOLKIDS INDOCTRINATED

The merciless crackdowns were a major reason Chris, 37, fled 18 months ago with his family.

He said: "First of all, the political environment has been changing. They are going down hill fast.

"The impact has become greater and greater but there are many reasons for leaving.

"We also want our child to get an education here, away from Chinese influence."

The issue of kids' education was echoed by Jeffrey Chan who said he cannot stand the thought of an entire generation of kids getting indoctrinated.

The 31-year-old, from nearby Worcester Park, said: "I really like life in the UK, me and my girlfriend will have children in the future.

"I don't want them to grow up under the influence under the Chinese Communist Party. We are concerned, things are getting worse.

"You have to be very determined to stay. Many of the Hong Kongers have options, they are talented and have good positions already and they are flexible.

"I can speak everything I want, that's the most important thing."

Jeffrey was with a pal who was visiting from Hong Kong.

I don't want them to grow up under the influence under the Chinese Communist Party. We are concerned, things are getting worse

Jeffrey Chan, 31

Also 31, he refused to share his name, which he said is because he needs to "go back" and could face repercussions. 

But he warned: "It is not going in the right direction.

"We worry about the political situation, but even the economy is very bad. 

"You have to worry about your job, you have to worry about your freedom.

"Things keep changing, it is a dynamic situation, you have  to consider not just Xi Jinping but the whole of the Politburo [Government]."