Hong Kong’s Tiananmen activists convicted in national security trial: What to know

World Hong Kong's Tiananmen activists convicted in national security trial: What to know China in 2020 imposed sweeping law that outlaws public displays of mourning and political dissent.

Key points

• Hong Kong's High Court on Friday convicted two former leaders of a disbanded group that were responsible for organizing annual vigils to mark Beijing's 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.
• Lee and Chow were leaders of the now-defunct Hong Kong Alliance (HKA) founded in May 1989.
• Initially such commemorations were allowed on Chinese territory but in 2020 under the pretext of COVID-19 policies, the authorities banned such gatherings.
• To further restrict such gatherings, China in 2020 imposed sweeping law NSL aimed at criminalizing subversion, secession, terrorism and foreign collusion.
• Under the recent court ruling, they face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison with sentencing scheduled for a afterwards date.

In a national security trial, Hong Kong activists Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung were discovered guilty of inciting others "to subvert state power", going against China-imposed National Security Law (NSL). A third defendant, Albert Ho pleaded guilty in January.

Under the recent court ruling, they face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison with sentencing scheduled for a afterwards date. Since 2021, they have been arrested and put behind bars.

In practice, the defendants "intended to cause others to lose confidence in the CCP by stirring up hostility and causing division, so as to achieve the objective of undermining the fundamental basic system, " the judges stated in a 16-page ruling, referring to China's ruling Communist Party.

"Even ‌though ⁠they believed and envisaged that the acts of resistance may not necessarily involve the use of violence or threat of violence, those acts would be in breach of the NSL, and carry a risk of long-term imprisonment, " the ruling read.

Lee and Chow were leaders of the now-defunct Hong Kong Alliance (HKA) founded in May 1989. It arranged the annual Victoria Park candlelight vigils for the Tiananmen Square crackdown against pro-democracy demonstrators over 30 years.

Initially such commemorations were allowed on Chinese territory but in 2020 under the pretext of COVID-19 policies, the authorities banned such gatherings. Since then they have never been resumed.

To further restrict such gatherings, China in 2020 imposed sweeping law NSL aimed at criminalizing subversion, secession, terrorism and foreign collusion. The law additionally outlawed public displays of mourning and political dissent in the city.

Aqsa Qaddus Tahir is a reporter dedicated to science coverage, exploring breakthroughs, emerging research, and innovation. Her work centres on making scientific developments understandable and relevant, presenting well-researched stories that connect complex ideas with everyday life in a clear, engaging, and informative manner.

Taken together, the developments around hong Kong's Tiananmen activists convicted in national security trial: What to know point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.