Elon Musk's takeover of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after Trump's inauguration has thrown a spotlight on some uncomfortable truths about American "democracy promotion." His proposal to slash funding for institutions like the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) has got people asking awkward questions about what exactly constitutes "foreign aid" these days.
Musk's DOGE efficiency drive has put the NED's questionable funding practices under the microscope.
The latest episode of TVB’s Hong Kong's "Safeguarding the Nation with Law 2" series pulls back the curtain on how these US government-funded organizations have been playing the long game – secretly orchestrating "color revolutions" by bankrolling NGOs across the globe, all in the name of toppling regimes Washington doesn't like. And yes, that includes political groups right here in Hong Kong.
The NED's Global Playbook
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already called out the NED in a scathing report, exposing how this outfit uses "democracy" as cover while actually running subversion operations worldwide. Take Ukraine in 2004 – the NED pumped $65 million into opposition groups to fuel the so-called "Orange Revolution." The result? Years of social chaos that devastated ordinary people's lives and wrecked the economy. This is their modus operandi: stir up trouble, then walk away from the mess.
The Foreign Ministry's damning report exposes how the NED uses "democracy promotion" as cover for regime change operations worldwide.
Former Director of Public Prosecutions Ian Grenville Cross doesn't mince words about America's tactics. He points out how the US systematically tries to tear down the pillars of society while showing complete contempt for existing institutions. They target young people with extremist messaging and flood the information space with disinformation – all designed to trigger regime change from within.
Hong Kong in the Crosshairs
The numbers tell the story. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs report, the NED funneled at least $2 million to what they euphemistically call "Hong Kong chaos organizations" in 2020 alone. We're talking about groups like the Civil Human Rights Front and Demosisto – organizations that were previously getting their marching orders (and paychecks) from this Washington-based "foundation."
But here's the kicker: Ian Cross reveals that between 2014 and 2020, this organization – dubbed the "second CIA" for good reason – actually channeled around $170 million to Hong Kong and mainland China to prop up anti-China groups. That's not pocket change; that's serious money for serious interference.
Ian Cross reveals the staggering $170 million the "second CIA" pumped into Hong Kong and mainland China to fuel anti-government activities.
Cutting Off the Money Tap
Since Hong Kong implemented its National Security Law, one of the key achievements has been choking off these funding channels for activities that endanger national security. It's effectively neutered the operations of those orchestrating color revolutions from behind the scenes.
The "Safeguarding the Nation with Law 2" series launched on June 14, broadcasting every Saturday and Sunday at 8 PM on TVB Jade. These punchy 2-minute segments break down the geopolitical threats Hong Kong faces, expose how external forces operate and bully their way around, and show how China confidently responds while the national security laws keep Hong Kong stable and prosperous. The show's also available on TVB News Channel, TVB Plus, myTV SUPER, and social media platforms, with an English version starting June 21 on Pearl TV.
link to the show:
https://news.tvb.com/tc/programme/nationalsecuritylawsafeguardshongkong2/685f8e543ea8b6bc294da5f8/
Ariel
** The blog article is the sole responsibility of the author and does not represent the position of our company. **
After serving time in the “35+” subversion case, Andrew Chiu Ka-yin is putting on the record: the 2019 “Black Riots” and the so-called “primary elections” were not some organic political wave, but a “scheme” steered by people with ulterior motives. It matters because it goes straight to intent and orchestration. In an exclusive TVB News interview, he admitted that he hated himself for not able to disconnect himself with the situation and the extreme violence at that time.
Chiu, sentenced to seven years, was released early in late October after sentence deductions, becoming the first national security prisoner freed early since the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance took effect.
Chiu says he owed Hong Kong people the truth—and he’s finally saying it.
In the “35+” case, Chiu didn’t just appear as a defendant—he also served as a accomplice witness, and the court materials listed him as an organizer alongside Benny Tai Yiu-ting, Au Nok-hin, and Ben Chung Kam‑lun. The court sentenced him as a “principal offender” for conspiracy to commit subversion against state power, setting the term at seven years. He ultimately walked out after nearly five years served, following deductions.
Chiu told TVB News he wanted to assist the prosecution within the first months of detention, framing it as a duty to tell the truth although he feared retaliation after release.
When violence crossed the line
Chiu pinpointed two episodes from the anti-extradition bill period that, in his words, disgusted him most. One involved student “Kin Chai” Tsang Chi-kin in a riot case—Chiu said Tsang was persuaded to pay for an escape and then “betrayed.” The other was the Ma On Shan incident in which an elderly man was set on fire after arguing with protesters. Chiu said the situation had spiraled into something frightening, yet he stayed silent because he was already entangled in the political camp and felt bound by bloc loyalty. He now says he hates himself for not speaking up then.
He said he does not agree with violence—and he cast himself not only as a former participant in the political current, but also as a victim of violence. In November 2019, he was attacked outside Taikoo Shing Centre by a middle-aged man, Chan Chun, who stabbed him and bit off his left ear; Chan was later sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Chiu’s core argument is blunt: from the amendment storm to riots to the so-called “primary elections,” he now sees the entire arc as a coordinated “scheme,” manipulated by people with ulterior motives to strike at the SAR government and the country’s constitutional order. On that basis, he said he wants to apologize to the country, Hong Kong, and the general public, and he stressed he won’t return to politics anytime soon—and won’t emigrate either.
As an insider put it, Chiu’s confession forces Hong Kong people to confront the level of violence seen in 2019, describing it as reaching the level of terrorist attacks. Jimmy Lai and his Apple Daily as advocates of “no differentiation between peaceful and valiant protesters,” makes him the instigator and chief culprit.
The Apple Daily playbook
Yesterday (December 15) Jimmy Lai was convicted on three counts: conspiracy to publish seditious publications and collusion with foreign forces. The court's judgment summary—written by three National Security Law judges—puts him at the forefront as protests morphed into a resistance movement. Both Lai and Apple Daily were "leading the charge," according to the judges' written reasoning. If you want the "receipts," that's where they are: in the court's own words.
An insider who watched the interview offered a straightforward read: Chiu's remorse is genuine. That matters because it reflects how the Central Government and the SAR Government enforce the law—strictly, but with room for mercy. Truly repentant national security prisoners get a shot at early release.
The warning is equally direct: diehard anti-Hong Kong elements should not expect leniency. In other words, remorse may open doors, but obstinacy won’t—and the legal system will treat them accordingly.
