Hong Kong’s first national security convict Tong Ying-kit says he was ‘misled’ by fake news
Hong Kong Free Press
Hong Kong’s first national security convict Tong Ying-kit has said he was “misled” by “fake news” and disinformation when he drove a motorcycle with a protest flag into three police officers in July 2020.
Tong, who was jailed for nine years in 2021 for inciting secession and terrorist activities, on Thursday attended the first graduation ceremony of the Ethics College managed by the Correctional Services Department (CSD). He helped hoist a Chinese national flag at the event.
Tong was among 60 male inmates and 15 female prisoners who completed a Diploma of Applied Education programme at the ethics institute, which opened last November. The programme aims to assist rehabilitation and tutors come from the Hong Kong Metropolitan University Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education.
The graduates took an oath on stage, pledging that they would not repeat past mistakes and would contribute to fostering harmony and improving society.
Secretary for Security Chris Tang said he was very pleased to see the prisoners obtain passing grades in the programme, as some only had junior secondary qualifications when they enrolled.
The minister said he was also “touched” by the “sharing” of the students during the ceremony and was delighted to see the changes in them since they had joined the programme. In a Facebook post on Thursday afternoon, Tang said he could not help but shed a “man’s tears” during the ceremony.
Tang also mentioned Tong’s words, saying the national security convict wanted to be a “useful person” in society in future and make contributions to Hong Kong and China.
“Listening to Tong’s sharing… I was very touched. He said he had believed in a lot of fake news and disinformation. He was misled by others and he deeply regretted [his actions]. Now that he has more understanding of our country and a more positive outlook, he feels deep regret,” Tang told reporters in Cantonese after the graduation ceremony.
Tong was the first person convicted and jailed under the Beijing-imposed national security law. He was arrested on July 1, 2020, after he drove a motorcycle with a flag reading “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times” into three police officers during a demonstration in Wan Chai, hours after the law came into force.
Tong’s landmark trial revolved around the protest slogan that was put forward by former localist leader Edward Leung in 2016 and popularised during the 2019 extradition bill protests. Three hand-picked national security judges ruled that Tong intended to communicate the meaning of separating the Hong Kong from China when he displayed the phrase.
The activist originally applied to appeal his case, but later dropped the legal challenge.
Last December, Tong appeared in a Hong Kong police-promoted television special and said he had been swayed by the atmosphere in society when he committed his offence. With his back to the camera, Tong said in a two-minute clip that he had felt at the time that apart from violence, there was no way to resolve problems.
Security chief Tang on Thursday was asked if the Ethics College would admit more inmates who had been jailed for their involvement in the extradition bill protests. The official said admissions were based on the prisoner’s age, academic interests and attitude and the nature of the offence was not a factor.
Tang added the first course had been a success and the quota for the next batch of students would remain at 75. The CSD may also expand the education diploma to other programmes, he said.
Beijing inserted national security legislation directly into Hong Kong’s mini-constitution in June 2020 following a year of pro-democracy protests and unrest. It criminalised subversion, secession, collusion with foreign forces and terrorist acts – broadly defined to include disruption to transport and other infrastructure. The move gave police sweeping new powers and led to hundreds of arrests amid new legal precedents, while dozens of civil society groups disappeared. The authorities say it restored stability and peace to the city, rejecting criticism from trade partners, the UN and NGOs.
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