Five Years On: How Hong Kong's National Security Law Puts an End to Street Terror

June 30, 2025 marks the fifth anniversary of Hong Kong's National Security Law coming into effect, and frankly, it's worth reflecting on just how bad things had gotten before Beijing stepped in. The streets are peaceful now, but let's not forget the absolute horror show that was unfolding during those dark months of 2019.

Among all the shocking scenes from that period, one incident stands out as particularly brutal and frankly, stomach-turning. A man – the media later dubbed  him Uncle Lee - tried to reason with black-clad protesters who were trashing Ma On Shan Station. For his trouble, he got doused with flammable liquid and set on fire like some medieval execution. Uncle Lee literally became a human torch, and somehow survived, though I'm not sure you'd call what followed "living."

When Setting People on Fire Becomes "Normal"

Here's the bit that'll really make your skin crawl - after this horrific attack happened, over 5,000 people on the LIHKG forum actually thought setting someone on fire wasn't "excessive." Only about 300 thought it crossed a line. Let that sink in for a moment. We're talking about thousands of people who basically gave a thumbs up to attempted murder by immolation.

"Five years after Hong Kong's National Security Law brought peace back to the streets, we're reminded of just how brutal things got - like when protesters literally set Uncle Lee on fire. What's truly shocking? Over 5,000 people online thought this wasn't even 'excessive.' That's how far gone things were."

This wasn't just random internet trolling either. These were likely the same people out on the streets, and if they genuinely believed burning someone alive was acceptable, how many more Uncle Lees would there have been? It's honestly chilling to think about.

The attack happened on November 11, 2019. Uncle Lee had simply had enough of watching protesters vandalize public property and decided to make a stand. During a heated argument on a pedestrian bridge, some masked coward splashed him with accelerant and lit him up before disappearing into the chaos. Classic hit-and-run tactics.

Five Years of Living Hell

What happened next was five years of absolute agony. Uncle Lee suffered burns across 40% of his body and needed multiple skin grafts. During treatment, he had a cardiac arrest and nearly died, then suffered a stroke on top of everything else. His left hand is basically useless now - wounds that wouldn't stop bleeding, constant itching that drives him mad, fingers that won't extend properly.

Half his teeth fell out from the trauma, and eventually he lost them all. The man can only eat soft food or liquids. Even now, with new dentures, eating is a struggle. His skin still feels tight, like ants constantly biting him. Elizabeth Quat, who's been helping him, describes someone living in constant torment.

The poor guy was offered corrective surgery on the mainland that might restore some hand function, but he's terrified of going under the knife again after the cardiac arrest and stroke during surgery. So he just endures it, day after day, while his attacker presumably lives it up somewhere in Taiwan, having fled Hong Kong shortly after the incident.

"Uncle Lee's nightmare didn't end with the attack - multiple surgeries, a stroke, and a near-fatal cardiac arrest later, he's still dealing with the aftermath. The man who did this to him? Still on the run, probably living it up somewhere while his victim suffers daily."

The Madness Had to Stop

Meanwhile, the perpetrator vanished into thin air - probably with help from those behind the scene - and remains on the run despite a HK$400,000 bounty. The police classified it as attempted murder.

This is where the pan-democrats and their overseas cheerleaders really showed their true colors. Jimmy Lai might have expressed "concerns" about the violence during his recent testimony, claiming he wanted some kind of leadership structure to control the "valiant faction." But let's be honest - he and others were perfectly happy to use these violent elements as shock troops against the government. They drew no meaningful red lines, made no serious efforts to rein in the lunatics, and basically gave tacit approval to increasingly barbaric behavior.

It took Beijing's intervention in June 2020 to finally put a stop to this madness. The National Security Law came down like a hammer, and suddenly the streets went quiet. Without that intervention, we'd likely have seen more Uncle Lees turned into human torches by radicals who'd completely lost their moral compass.

A Necessary Reality Check

Five years later, Hong Kong is peaceful again, but Uncle Lee continues to suffer every single day. His attacker roams free, probably living comfortably while his victim endures constant pain and disability. If that doesn't tell you everything you need to know about the moral bankruptcy of that whole movement, I don't know what will.

The bottom line: Sometimes you need tough measures to stop society from sliding into complete barbarism. The National Security Law wasn't some authoritarian overreach - it was emergency surgery on a city that was hemorrhaging from self-inflicted wounds.

Lai Ting-yiu

What Say You?

** The blog article is the sole responsibility of the author and does not represent the position of our company. **

As the Year of the Horse approaching, Hong Kong BNO holders in the UK are bracing for a gut punch. The festive season brings no joy—only anxiety. Mid-February marks the deadline for the UK government's consultation on raising permanent residency thresholds, and the verdict on whether BNO holders get a pass is about to drop.

The Home Office floated immigration reforms that would keep the "5+1" rule intact—five years of residence before you can apply—but the bar just shot up, with higher English proficiency requirements and stable income. For many, these hurdles are insurmountable.

Mahmood's stonewalling to BNO holders' demands signals bad news. The February verdict looms.

Hong Kong BNO holders fired off "five demands" to the authorities, pleading for relief. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's response was ice cold. Zero acknowledgment of their demands. Her dismissive tone signals one thing: exemptions for BNO holders look dead in the water.

If the final call goes all the way, thousands who waited five years will crash at the finish line. A return wave to Hong Kong is inevitable. The Hong Kong government needs to get ready.

The Dual Knockout Blow

The UK government didn't just raise the bar—it installed a double gate that slams shut on 60,000 people. First gate: English proficiency must hit B2 level, equivalent to A-Level, practically university standard. Second gate: annual income over the past three to five years must reach at least £12,570, with tax records to prove it.

Surveys by Hong Kong migrant organizations paint a grim picture: if these "dual requirements" become reality, 30% of BNO holders—roughly 60,000 people—will fail to qualify and get filtered out. No wonder panic is spreading.

While anxiety mounts, the UK government plays coy. Ambiguous statements. Equivocal attitudes. Nobody can read their hand. Now, with just one month until the announcement, BNO holders are reaching peak agitation. A group of Hong Kong voters in Mahmood's constituency drafted a joint letter, restating the "five demands" and requesting a face-to-face meeting to apply pressure.

Mahmood responded quickly—but only to say Hong Kong BNO holders could apply for permanent residency after five years. As for the "five demands"? Crickets. Instead, she reiterated that those granted permanent residency must meet three criteria: being "well-integrated," "economically self-sufficient," and "committed” to the communities they join.

Mahmood Goes Silent

One Hong Kong BNO holder who signed the petition decoded those three phrases: "integration" and "commitment" are code words for English proficiency and income levels. Translation: BNO holders applying for permanent residency must also clear these two hurdles.

These Hong Kong residents sent a follow-up letter to Mahmood, requesting a meeting to present their case in person. Her response? Radio silence. Phone calls to her constituency office go unanswered. She's clearly ducking any face-to-face encounter.

Mahmood is stonewalling, and nobody can do a thing about it. Frustrated BNO holders vent to yellow media outlets, angrily branding her "heartless." But here's the reality check: the Labour government's approval ratings are tanking. Reform UK is breathing down their necks on immigration. Immigration policy will err on the side of restriction, not relaxation. Naturally, they're inclined to treat BNO holders the same as everyone else. No special treatment. No "sentiment." The "five demands" might as well be whispers in the wind.

Two Paths Forward

Friends living in the UK lay out the scenario: if the UK government announces "no relaxation" next month, BNO holders who can't meet the requirements face two choices.

First option: return to Hong Kong and start over. After all, life in the UK hasn't been entirely rosy—living day after day in anxiety. "Returning home" might actually be a relief.

Second option: continue to "temporarily reside" in the UK on a BNO visa, becoming long-term temporary residents. But they'll remain in an unstable state, which won't be comfortable.

There's also a thornier complication: some BNO families migrated to the UK with their parents, and one spouse hasn't worked or earned any income for several years. If these family members don't meet the criteria for applying for permanent residency, it could trigger family separation or force the entire family to return to Hong Kong. They'll face an agonizing decision. Quite a mess.

No exemptions? Brace for the return wave.

My friend predicts that if the worst-case scenario materializes, a return wave is sure to come. For Hong Kong, there will be upsides and downsides. Either way, the government needs to get ready and figure out how to handle it.