Hong Kong waiter jailed for promoting pro-Taiwan party

A Hong Kong waiter has been sentenced to two years and four months in prison for inciting subversion by promoting a pro-Taiwan political party. Chan Ho-hin, 23, was sentenced at the District Court on Monday after pleading guilty earlier this month to offenses spanning 10 months.

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The defendant’s offence spanned 10 months.

During this period, Chan actively used social media platforms and displayed posters in public spaces to advocate for the Taiwan-based Revive the Republic of China Freedom Party. His online activities included posts opposing the Chinese Communist Party and using the protest slogan "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times," which is now illegal under the national security law imposed by Beijing.

Chan admitted to placing A4-sized posters related to the party on streets in Yau Ma Tei and Wong Tai Sin and distributing application forms for party membership. His social media posts also contained information on how to create petrol bombs, according to the prosecution.

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The court must not treat national security risks lightly.

Defense lawyers argued for leniency, citing Chan's mild intellectual disability and suggesting he was merely repeating information found online. Judge Stanley Chan acknowledged the defendant's mental condition might have affected his political judgment but stressed that national security threats cannot be taken lightly. He dismissed the defense's claim that Chan's advocacy was "empty and vague," highlighting the inclusion of instructions for making petrol bombs as evidence of potential danger.

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He dismissed the defence’s argument that the defendant’s advocacy was 'empty and vague,' saying that the 23-year-old had promoted ways of making petrol bombs in his social media posts.