Zhang Chaoxiong, the "Father of Refugees"
If dark humor had a world ranking...Zhang ChaoxiongWe will definitely win the championship.
Imagine this: a man spent over a decade tirelessly advocating for "refugee benefits" for a group of people, only to find that these people—99%—were all fake. And then, in the end, this man himself changed.Real refugeesHe flew to Canada to apply for political asylum.
Table of contents
Why is he called the "Father of Refugees"?
In 2016, a large number of mysterious banners suddenly appeared on the streets of the New Territories East, bearing the large head of Cheung Chiu-hung and the four characters "Father of Refugees," along with Chinese and English text:Father of Refugees。
Some called it a prank, some called it a smear campaign, and some said it was the work of aliens. Zhang Chaoxiong himself responded: "Hanging banners in someone else's name without authorization is a criminal offense. I urge the person who posted the banner to turn themselves in to the police."
"Father of Fake Refugees"
Why add the word "fake"? Because according toHongkongAccording to government data, as of 2025, Hong Kong had received over 28,000 non-repatriation claims, but only about 350 were successfully granted.Even the 99% is fake..
In other words, Cheung Chiu-hung spent over a decade, desperately trying to promote the real 1%, only to end up serving a fake 99%. This ratio is better than those "10% off everything" clearance sales in Mong Kok—at least they have some real merchandise. What about you? You're "all fake 99%s," and you're selling them for more than LV.
Cheung Chiu-hung proposed advocating for the right to work for fake refugees, approving their employment in Hong Kong. In other words, he hopes these 99% individuals are fake so they can legitimately steal jobs from Hong Kong people.
This logic is like a thief breaking into your house, and instead of calling the police, you invite the thief to sit down and have dinner with you, and even ask him, "Would you like another bowl of soup? I made a pork bone and carrot soup tonight, it's delicious."
Then, after the thief finishes his soup, he asks you, "Your house is quite comfortable, why don't I move in?" You'd even reply, "Sure, sure! My house is big, you can bring more friends!"
Is Zhang Chaoxiong a left-handed rubber player?
Before determining whether Cheung Chiu-hung is a "leftist" (or "rightist"), we need to define what constitutes a "leftist." According to the definition in Hong Kong internet culture, a "leftist" has the following characteristics:
- Infinite toleranceTolerance towards anyone or any group, even if the other party is a criminal, a terrorist, or someone who just wants to take advantage of others.
- Moral supremacyThey always stand on the moral high ground, accusing everyone of being "not loving enough" and "not humane enough".
- Double standardsIt is infinitely tolerant of the vulnerable groups and infinitely harsh on mainstream society.
- Detached from realityThe policies proposed often disregard costs and feasibility, focusing only on "ideals".
- Self-pityThey think they're saints just because they've done a few good deeds, and they even try to force others to agree with them.
Simply put,Left-wing activists = overflowing with compassion + illogical thinking + moral blackmail + ignoring price tags.
And what about Zhang Chaoxiong?All four items were displayed, and one more was added: "In the end, you fell into their trap yourself."—This is the mark of an advanced version of glue, called "self-adhesive".
Zhang Chaoxiong presents evidence of "leftist" stance.
Unlimited tolerance for fake refugees
Zhang Chaoxiong's tolerance for fake refugees has reached the point of "You're lying to me? No problem, I'll continue to help you."
Hong Kong received 28,000 non-repatriation claims, but only 350 were successfully confirmed, meaning 99% were fraudulent. A normal person would ask, "So, shouldn't we deal with the fraudulent ones first, and then help the genuine ones?"
Zhang Chaoxiong wouldn't agree. His logic is: "Even if the 99% donation is fake, the 1% is real! You can't stop donating just because there's a fake one!" This argument seems reasonable on the surface, but in reality, it's equivalent to saying: "Even if the 99% donation might be scammed, as long as the 1% actually reaches the poor, we should continue to donate!"
Moral blackmail in Hong Kong
Cheung Chiu-hung's favorite sayings are: "Humanity is priceless!", "Don't you guys have any empathy?", and "Hong Kong people are so indifferent, why can't you help others?"
This is a classic example of "moral blackmail"—they don't talk to you about money, data, or feasibility; they just keep asking you, "Don't you have a conscience?"
It's like your mother saying to you, "If you don't lend me money, does that mean you don't love me?" You can't argue back, because arguing back would be "heartless."
Don't look at the price tag
Hong Kong spends over HK$1 billion annually on fake refugees. HK$1 billion! That's enough to build half a hospital, hire 2,000 nurses, or buy HK$1 million pairs of sneakers for underprivileged students.
His logic was: "People are already in such a miserable state, why bother arguing with him over a billion?"
Self-pity
Zhang Chaoxiong often says, "I am a social worker, and my mission is to help the vulnerable."
Detached from reality
Cheung Chiu-hung once proposed allowing non-repatriation claimants to work legally in Hong Kong.
Doesn't that sound reasonable? Let them earn their own living and not have to rely on Comprehensive Social Security Assistance. But the reality is: if they are given jobs, Hong Kong will likely face a massive "legalization of illegal work" black hole. Because fake refugees can use work visas to extend their stay in Hong Kong indefinitely, effectively becoming "legal immigrants."
Becoming a refugee
In 2020, Cheung Chiu-hung was contemptuous and imprisoned for three weeks for his involvement in a protest at the Legislative Council's House Committee. After serving his sentence, he left Hong Kong with his family and flew to Canada, and then— Applying for political asylum.
That's right! Zhang Chaoxiong, the "father of fake refugees," has become a real refugee himself!
Absurd comedy
In summary, Cheung Chiu-hung's life is an absurd comedy, with himself as the actor, fate as the director, his choices as the screenwriter, and the audience being the seven million people of Hong Kong.
He has a sense of justice and works as a social worker to help the vulnerable, that's good. He has paternal love and has cared for his daughter with special needs for 27 years, that's good. He has humanitarian spirit and speaks out for refugees, that's good.
But—he used the wrong method, the wrong target, the wrong time, the wrong place, and everything wrong.
The so-called "refugees" they advocated were all fake. The "welfare" they fought for was paid for with the money of all Hong Kong taxpayers. In the end, their "exit" was that they themselves became refugees, and real refugees at that.
10 Questions and Answers by Zhang Chaoxiong
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Why is Zhang Chaoxiong called the "Father of Refugees"?
Because when he was advocating for welfare for refugees, his attitude was better than when he was taking care of his own daughter. To be precise, it was better than when he was taking care of Hong Kong people. Netizens said, "He treats refugees better than he treats his father." That's why he's called "Father of Hong Kong," but not because he gave birth to refugees, but because he took better care of refugees than he took better care of his own children.
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What about the "Father of Fake Refugees"?
Of the 28,000 applications filed in Hong Kong, only 350 were genuine, while 99% was fake. Cheung Chiu-hung helped this fake 99% person fight for welfare, so he's not the "Father of Refugees," but the "Father of Fake Refugees," or simply "Fake Father." Even Qin Shi Huang would applaud this title.
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What is Zhang Chaoxiong's reaction to this title?
He said, "If caring about a certain group makes you the 'father of that group,' then caring about the elderly makes me the 'father of the elderly.'" Translation: You guys call me the "father of refugees," so am I getting a good deal? My father wasn't even raised by me, and you've given me so many children? Thank you all!
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How did he eventually become a real refugee?
In 2020, he was contempt convicted and imprisoned for three weeks. Afterward, he took his family to Canada and applied for and was granted political asylum. Simply put: he helped fake refugees for over a decade, and ended up becoming a real refugee himself. This process, called "from consultant to client," is the highest achievement in business.
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What should he do about his daughter?
This is the only part where there's no smile. His daughter has a rare disease and needs 24-hour care. Zhang Chaoxiong has been caring for her for 27 years, but finally couldn't take it anymore and had to apply for a nursing home. But this is also his choice—when you help refugees, do you ever think about how your own daughter needs more time? Only Zhang Chaoxiong himself can answer this question.
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What lessons can Zhang Chaoxiong's story teach us?
It taught us three lessons: First, before helping someone, make sure they are genuine or not; second, don't use taxpayers' money to maintain your own moral halo; third...If you're going to be a joke, at least be a funny joke.Zhang Chaoxiong did all three things perfectly, and even got full marks.
Ultimate Declaration
Cheung Chiu-hung, a man who lived a life of dark humor. He went from being the "father of refugees" to the "fake father of refugees," and then from the "fake father of refugees" to the "real refugee himself." This process is the most ironic, absurd, hilarious, and astonishing page in Hong Kong's political history.
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