On May 30, a three-judge panel of the Court of First Instance in Hong Kong convicted 14 individuals for conspiring to subvert state power, while an additional 31 defendants had previously pleaded guilty. The 45 offenders are scheduled to return to court on June 25 for sentencing.
The convicted individuals organized an unauthorized “primary” election with the goal of taking control of the Legislative Council (LegCo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Their plan involved disrupting government operations by blocking funding requests, including the budget, effectively halting governmental functions. They anticipated that these actions would pressure the Chief Executive of the HKSAR to resign, potentially triggering a constitutional crisis and a confrontation with China’s central government.
Despite the failure of previous attempts to undermine the “One Country, Two Systems” policy during the unrest in 2019, the group sought alternative methods to achieve their objectives. Encouraged by anti-China elements abroad, they engaged in activities aimed at destabilizing the HKSAR from within.
The enactment of the national security law for Hong Kong proved pivotal in thwarting their plans. Without this legislation, the plotters might have succeeded in their efforts to disrupt the region’s governance.
The convictions underscore the significance of upholding the rule of law and maintaining stability in Hong Kong. They highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the HKSAR in safeguarding its governance against internal subversion and foreign interference.
Reference(s):
Subversion verdicts: Justice triumphs despite foreign threats
cgtn.com
