Two former leaders of Hong Kong’s vigil commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown have been convicted under a national security law imposed by China. Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung, former heads of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, were charged with inciting subversion in 2021. Both had denied the charges and could face up to 10 years in prison. The alliance was also deemed guilty.
The verdict is the latest blow to Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, significantly weakened by authorities. For 30 years, the alliance’s candlelight vigil was the only major public event in Chinese territory marking the Tiananmen crackdown. It drew tens of thousands annually. The event was banned in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, shortly before China implemented the security law to suppress anti-government protests in 2019.
Observers suggest the trial reflects the diminishing freedom of expression in Hong Kong. Lee and Chow have been jailed since their 2021 charges. Their sentencing will occur later. Judges have yet to explain their reasons for the conviction. A complete judgment will be published online.
“This case shows how Hong Kong’s judiciary aligns with mainland China’s party-led judiciary,” said Eric Lai, a senior fellow at Georgetown Center for Asian Law. The charge of inciting subversion, used in mainland China against human rights lawyers and activists, illustrates this shift.
Heavy security was present at court for the verdict. Prosecutors claimed the case was not political, focusing on the alliance’s push to end China’s one-party rule. However, Lee argued in court that the statement was about advocating for democracy and allowing citizens to select their leaders. Chow, representing herself, stated that “ending one-party rule” referred to eliminating unrestricted power.
In a recent Patreon post, Chow described being shackled during court transfers, likening herself to a dog. She emphasized that justice would prevail in people’s hearts, regardless of the verdict.
The trial, initially planned for 75 days, closed sooner than expected, with the final statements on the 24th day. In January, co-defendant Albert Ho pleaded guilty, potentially leading to a reduced sentence. Lee and Chow will seek lesser penalties in a separate hearing.
Dozens lined up outside the court under rain, eager to attend the hearing. Some were denied entry if carrying materials related to the Tiananmen Square event. Former vigil-goer Margaret Chan questioned the notion of incitement concerning patriotism.
The 1989 Tiananmen crackdown saw military tanks entering Beijing, resulting in hundreds, possibly thousands, of deaths. This moment was crucial to China’s history, shaping the nation’s economic rise without accompanying political freedoms. Following lifted Covid-19 restrictions, the former vigil site now hosts a carnival organized by pro-Beijing groups.
China justified the 2020 security law as essential for Hong Kong’s stability. Numerous activists, including media tycoon Jimmy Lai, were imprisoned under this law. Many civil society groups have since disbanded, including the Hong Kong Alliance.