Agnes Chow Ting gained prominence in 2012 as the spokesperson for the student activist group, Scholarism (學民思潮). Alongside fellow activists Joshua Wong and Ivan Lam, Scholarism protested against a government proposal to introduce a national education curriculum in Hong Kong schools, which they slammed as “brainwashing.”[1]

Later, in 2016, she co-founded the political party Demosisto (香港眾志) with Joshua Wong and Nathan Law, advocating self-determination for Hong Kong people and the representation of young voices in politics.[2] In 2018, she aimed to run for the Hong Kong Legislative Council in the 2018 by-election; however, she was disqualified by the authorities from running.[3]

Throughout the 2019 anti-extradition bill protests, Chow played a pivotal role by participating in rallies and connecting with the international community through both traditional media and social platforms. She garnered significant support with her fluency in Japanese and was referred to as the "Goddess of Democracy" by Japanese media.[4] Chow was notably named in the BBC's list of 100 Women in 2020.[5]

Chow faced legal repercussions for her involvement in a peaceful assembly at Wan Chai Hong Kong Police Headquarters on Jun. 21, 2019, and was charged with allegedly participating in and inciting an unauthorized assembly.[6] After pleading guilty, she received a 10-month jail sentence, drawing global concern for Hong Kong's diminishing freedoms.[7] Subsequently, on Aug. 10, 2020, Chow was arrested again under charges of "colluding with foreign forces" under the National Security Law.[8] Her arrest once more prompted international support, especially in Japan.[9] She was released on bail the following day, maintaining a low profile thereafter.[10]

On Dec. 3, 2023, Chow resurfaced on social media, announcing she had left Hong Kong for school in Toronto. She disclosed details of the way national security police restrained her freedom in Hong Kong after releasing on bail. After being admitted to a university in Toronto, she was compelled to go on a police-escorted trip to mainland China in August to regain her passport. After the trip to China, she was instructed to sign letters expressing remorse for her past political actions and to thank the police for organizing the trip.[11] Later, Chow announced her decision to jump bail, signaling her intent not to return home after pursuing her studies in Canada.[12]

Photo: Radio Free Asia