Two prominent Hong Kong activists have been found guilty of inciting the subversion of state power for their roles in organizing annual candlelit vigils commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. Lee Cheuk yan, a veteran lawmaker, and Chow Hang tung, a lawyer, both served as leaders of the now defunct Hong Kong Alliance. The pair now face up to ten years in prison under the city’s sweeping national security law, though their official sentencing will happen at a later date. A third individual, Albert Ho, previously pleaded guilty to similar charges earlier this year.
For decades, Hong Kong stood as one of the last remaining places within Chinese territory where citizens could openly mourn the victims of the military crackdown in Beijing. However, that tradition ended abruptly in 2020 when authorities banned gatherings under the guise of pandemic restrictions. The same year saw the introduction of the national security law, which significantly expanded the definition of illegal dissent and effectively criminalized public displays of mourning associated with the events of 1989. In mainland China, such references remain strictly forbidden.
Inside the courtroom during the reading of the verdict, the atmosphere remained poised despite the gravity of the situation. Chow was seen smiling as she heard her conviction, while Lee offered gestures of gratitude toward supporters gathered in the gallery. Both had spent significant time behind bars since their arrests in 2021. During previous proceedings, Chow argued that it was actually the legitimacy of the national security law itself that was on trial rather than her own actions.
International rights organizations have condemned the convictions as an assault on freedom of expression. Amnesty International characterized Lee and Chow as prisoners of conscience who committed no recognizable crime, arguing that the legal definitions used for subversion are dangerously vague and arbitrary. Similarly, representatives from Human Rights Watch noted that these verdicts signal a grim new reality where simply remembering history has become a punishable offense in Hong Kong. While government officials maintain these measures are necessary for social stability, critics argue they have systematically dismantled Hong Kong’s autonomy and instilled a pervasive climate of fear.
