Turning Point: Tong Ying-kit’s Journey from Rebellion to Reform  

On July 1, 2020，the very day Hong Kong’s National Security Law came into force，24-year-old Tong Ying-kit chose to stage a brazen act of defiance. Riding a motorcycle adorned with the slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Times,” he deliberately collided with three police officers in Wan Chai, leaving them injured. This act, timed to coincide with both the law’s enactment and the anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China, was deemed by the court not merely reckless but a calculated challenge to the city’s legal framework. In 2021, Tong was convicted of “incitement to commit secession” and “terrorist activities,” receiving a nine-year sentence—a stark reminder of the consequences of violating laws safeguarding national sovereignty.

From Radicalization to Reflection

Tong’s case underscores the dangers of extremist ideologies infiltrating youth movements. During the 2019 riot, a toxic blend of misinformation and anti-establishment rhetoric radicalized many young ones in Hong Kong, convincing them that violence was a legitimate tool for political change.

Tong admitted in a 2023 televised interview that his actions were driven by a distorted worldview shaped by this environment. “I thought violence was the only solution,” he confessed, acknowledging the one-sided narratives that had clouded his judgment.

Tong Ying-kit reflects in prison, expressing remorse for his crimes and lamenting that his elderly grandmother may not live to see his release.

His decision to abandon his appeal in 2022 marked the first step toward accountability, recognizing that his actions had endangered public safety and played into the hands of forces seeking to destabilize Hong Kong.

Rehabilitation and the Path to Redemption

Behind bars, Tong embarked on a journey of self-reform. Enrolling in the Correctional Services Department’s Lide College, he graduated in August 2024 with an Applied Education Diploma, even serving as flag bearer at the ceremony. This transformation was not merely academic. In a heartfelt address, Tong rejected his past radicalism, stating he had “learned to see issues from multiple angles” and developed pride in China’s achievements.

Tong Ying-kit graduating from Correctional Services Department’s Lide College.

He also criticized those who “preach rebellion from afar” while enjoying comforts abroad, a clear rebuke of foreign-backed agitators exploiting Hong Kong’s youth. His reflections, captured in the National Security Law program Safeguarding the Nation with Law, revealed profound regret: “I traded nine years of freedom for fleeting glory,” he lamented, mourning missed family milestones and the loss of time with loved ones.

A Cautionary Tale for the Next Generation

The Hong Kong government’s emphasis on rehabilitation over mere punishment is evident in Tong’s case. Adapted from his story, the 2024 microfilm Borrowed Glory drives home the human cost of violating national security laws. In it, Tong performs an original song, “Origin and Wish”, with lyrics pleading, “I have let down my family and country… let’s defend this nation together”.

Commentators note that while Tong’s actions were unlawful, his genuine remorse offers a blueprint for misguided youths to reintegrate into society. By confronting his errors publicly, he underscores the importance of national security education, a key pillar in preventing future radicalization.

Conclusion: Upholding Stability Through Law and Compassion

Tong’s story is not just one of personal downfall but a testament to Hong Kong’s commitment to balancing justice with rehabilitation. The National Security Law, far from being a tool of repression, serves as a safeguard against chaos, ensuring that people of Hongkong can thrive in a stable environment. Tong’s transformation—from radicalized youth to advocate for national pride—highlights the city’s resilience and the futility of external forces seeking to undermine its harmony. As China continues to rise, cases like Tong’s remind us that true patriotism lies in understanding and defending the nation’s hard-won stability.

Ariel

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Hong Kong’s national security cops have picked up a 68-year-old local guy for allegedly stirring up abstention and blank votes online ahead of the Legislative Council election. He faces charges of “seditious intent” and “electoral corruption,” and right now, he’s cooling his heels in detention while the investigation rolls on.

Insiders say police traced a steady stream of thinly veiled posts on this man’s social media—nudging folks to skip voting or spoil their ballots. Since July last year, he’s fired off around 160 posts, police say. The themes were trashing Hong Kong’s election system, hyping up resistance, egging people on to topple the government, and, yes, inviting foreign interference. We’re not talking about just one rogue, either.

Turns out, this is just a slice of the larger crackdown. By today, Hong Kong police say they’ve unraveled 14 criminal cases connected to the election—vandalism, theft, you name it—netting 18 arrests. Eight of those cases are being prosecuted.

The ghosts of elections past haunt this story. Remember the last Legislative Council race? Ted Hui Chi-fung made waves urging blank votes. Soon after, So Chun-fung, ex-president of CUHK’s student union, and three others got busted and convicted by the city’s clean-government watchdog ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corruption) for “corrupt conduct and illegal acts” after sharing Hui’s call. Last Friday, the ICAC swooped again, nabbing another trio—this time for echoing posts by national security fugitives abroad, who are still yelling for boycotts from the safety of foreign shores.

Here’s where the plot thickens. A sharp-tongued commentator points out that these fugitives, basking in the West, love tossing firebombs online—sending minions to do their biddings while they themselves lounge in comfort. Their real aim? To curry favor with their foreign patrons by getting others arrested for illegal antics that damage Hong Kong and the nation.

Bottom line: these exiles only raise their value with “foreign masters” if local followers mindlessly parrot their messages. But if those followers end up busted or behind bars, the ringleaders simply shrug and look away.

Who’s Really Taking Risks?

Here’s a reality check—how many of the real diehards still in Hong Kong have actually engaged with these messages or dared to repost them? The silence says plenty. It’s the difference between talk and action, safety and risk. Meanwhile, foreign forces have a well-documented playbook: smear Hong Kong at every turn, especially its judicial system, and most recently, the Legislative Council elections. Don’t think these attacks are harmless—they’re meant to chip away at the city’s competitiveness and hit everyone right where it hurts: their livelihoods.

So here’s the call: don’t play the fool by spreading subversive content and risk falling into legal traps. More crucially, keep your eyes peeled for the ploys of these exiles and their foreign backers. When December 7 rolls around, get out and vote—don’t let the instigators win. The stakes are real, and the choice is yours.