Another key trial in the growing history of Hong Kong’s suppression of freedom of expression began on 22 January 2026.
This trial is notable because it focuses on both freedom of expression and freedom of assembly which allegedly remain in place but have been outlawed in Hong Kong.
Chow Hang-tung 鄒幸彤, Albert Ho Chun-yan 何俊仁 and Lee Cheuk-yan 李卓人, are charged with inciting subversion for the absurd crime of encouraging people to light candles in their homes to commemorate the 1989 massacre. The charges are spurious; but the reality is that the defendants have a long history of Chinese patriotism and advocating democracy on the Mainland.
They are seen as enemies of the regime because they have been leaders of the now dissolved Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China. Until it was banned in 2020 the Alliance organised the annual vigil commemoraFng the 1989 massacre of democracy protestors in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. The vigil became the only place on Chinese soil where hundreds of thousands of people were able to gather to commemorate and honour the victims of the massacre.
That freedom has been expunged and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has engaged in an extensive effort to re-write history to deny the existence of this massacre.
In the spirit of Chinese patriotism, which emphasises love of the nation rather than support for the CCP, the Alliance was pledged to keep this memory alive.
The defendants face 10 years in jail, largely in solitary confinement. One of the three, Albert Ho, has decided to plead guilty as he is battling lung cancer and other ailments and may well emerge from prison.
The HKMO highlights this trial to ensure that the fate of these brave patriots and democrats will not be overlooked.
Joseph Ngan, Chair of the HKMO, said: “As a journalist organisation we are committed to highlight the erosion of freedom of expression and stand in solidarity with the victims of the growing crackdown in Hong Kong, where daring to remember Chinese history has become a crime.”
• HKMO demands the release of the Alliance organisers
• We call on the international community not to ignore what is happening in Hong Kong and to exert pressure on the Chinese government and its henchmen in Hong Kong to restore liberty.