Wong Chi-fung Sentenced to 10 Years' Imprisonment for Conspiracy to Endanger National Security in Hong Kong

Court of First Instance hands down sentence in "conspiracy to commit collusion" case of Wong Chi-fung

In the case of Wong Chi-fung concerning the offence of "conspiracy to commit collusion with foreign countries or with external elements to endanger national security" (contrary to Article 29 of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL)), Wong Chi-fung earlier (September 2) pleaded guilty to the charge and the relevant facts of the offence, including conspiring with absconder Law Kwun-chung and others to solicit, through various means, foreign countries or external elements to impose sanctions or blockade or to engage in other hostile activities against the People's Republic of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), and their officials. The Court of First Instance of the High Court today (November 5) sentenced Wong Chi-fung to 10 years' imprisonment.

The High Court. Photo by Bastille Post

The reasons for sentence handed down by the court ruled that the offence in this case was of a grave nature, and pointed out that at the material time, Hong Kong was confronted with the social turmoil and the serious effects of riots, and was facing very high risks to national security and the rule of law. The acts of Wong Chi-fung and others aggravated the serious predicament. They had direct engagement with top or senior officials of foreign countries, and continued to promote the calls for sanctions through their own social media accounts and via prominent news media or outlets in the West, reaching both local and international audiences. Wong Chi-fung and Law Kwun-chung were the masterminds of the case and the advocates at the forefront calling for foreign countries to impose sanctions and hostile measures. After the implementation of the HKNSL, they persisted in acts endangering national security and deliberately adapted their respective roles, yet their roles were equally crucial. They indeed contributed to the imposition of sanctions and hostile measures by foreign countries, and such sanctions and measures significantly impacted upon and endangered national security.

Wong Chi-fung. Photo source: reference image

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, stated, "Wong Chi-fung, Law Kwun-chung and their accomplices are among the primary culprits responsible for undermining Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. They began by obstructing the HKSAR Government's efforts to promote national education in an attempt to weaken the national identity of the youth, followed by setting up radical organisations, inciting students to engage in unlawful acts, and advocating the notions of 'Hong Kong independence' and 'self-determination'. They further fuelled the 'black-clad violence' and the Hong Kong version of 'colour revolution' in 2019, committing a multitude of egregious misdeeds. Wong Chi-fung has repeatedly broken the law, including organising, taking part in, and inciting others to take part in unauthorised assemblies, unlawful assemblies, and contempt of court, demonstrating his utter disregard for the law. Before the implementation of the HKNSL, Wong Chi-fung, Law Kwun-chung and others persistently colluded with foreign countries or external elements, actively lobbied the United States to pass so-called legislation concerning Hong Kong, and openly solicited foreign countries to impose sanctions against China and the HKSAR."

"Following the implementation of the HKNSL, Wong Chi-fung, Law Kwun-chung and their accomplices showed no repentance and continued to act as agents of foreign countries and external forces, wantonly persisting in conspiring to collude with foreign countries or external forces to endanger national security, in a vain attempt to exert pressure on the Central Authorities and the HKSAR Government through external forces, betraying Hong Kong while remaining incorrigible. Furthermore, Wong Chi-fung participated in the 'Project 35+', conspiring to subvert state power. Such acts constituted extremely serious offences, which not only severely undermined national sovereignty, security, and development interests, but also directly prejudiced the well-being of the general public and the stability of society."

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee. Photo source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

A spokesman for the HKSAR Government said, "In the face of overwhelming facts and evidence, it was impossible for Wong Chi-fung to deny his wrongdoing and so he could only plead guilty, serving as a powerful deterrent to all those attempting to collude with external forces and undermine national interests. The court handed down a heavy sentence on Wong Chi-fung, which completely shattered the illusion of individuals endangering national security that they could escape liability under the guise of so-called 'international battlefront' or 'international advocacy', and demonstrated to the international community the HKSAR's firm determination to safeguard national security. This sentence demonstrates that the case, involving external forces, is of a grave nature and warrants a deterrent sentence. In addition, the Government will forfeit Wong Chi-fung's offence-related property in accordance with the law."

Following the implementation of the HKNSL, Wong Chi-fung, Law Kwun-chung and their accomplices showed no repentance and continued to act as agents of foreign countries and external forces, wantonly persisting in conspiring to collude with foreign countries or external forces to endanger national security. Photo source: online image

The spokesman pointed out, "The HKSAR Government has noticed that various western countries, anti-China organisations, politicians and foreign media have launched malicious attacks and smears on various cases including this case, openly exerting pressure to demand the release of certain defendants who have been convicted and sentenced by the court in accordance with the law. The HKSAR Government has stated on many occasions that Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law. All cases are handled strictly on the basis of evidence and in accordance with the law. Any suggestion that certain individuals or organisations should be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts and activities is no different from advocating a special privilege to break the law, and this totally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law. In the present case, in face of overwhelming facts and evidence, Wong Chi-fung chose to plead guilty, reflecting the sufficiency of evidence gathered by the Police to apprehend based on which the Department of Justice prosecuted offenders endangering national security in accordance with the law. The court set out the relevant reasons in detail when delivering the sentence, which reflects that Wong Chi-fung was sentenced under fair and open judicial proceedings, and fully demonstrates the rule of law that the courts of the HKSAR have always upheld."

Photo source: reference image

The spokesman stressed, "It is the constitutional duty of the HKSAR Government to safeguard national security, and the Government is determined and will continue to resolutely combat and pursue those anti-China and destabilising elements as well as agents of external forces. We will ensure that laws are observed and strictly enforced to bring offenders to account, so as to prevent, suppress and punish acts and activities endangering national security."

Labour Department highly concerned about fatal work accident that happened in Sha Tin today

The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened on a construction site in Sha Tin this morning (November 5). While washing vehicle tyres on the vehicular lane at a site entrance, a female worker was run over by a grab lorry to death. The LD is saddened by the death of the worker and expresses its deepest sympathy to the deceased’s family members.

The LD's spokesman said, "We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending any work on the vehicular lane at the site. The contractors cannot resume the work process until the LD is satisfied that suitable measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken."

The spokesman added, "We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if any violations are found during the investigation."

To prevent workers from being struck by vehicles, the LD reminds employers to take adequate precautionary measures, including placing suitable barriers to segregate workers from vehicular lanes. If setting up barriers is not feasible, employers shall ensure that workers keep a safe working distance from vehicles. In addition, employers shall provide reflective vests to workers and ensure their proper use.

The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years.

In regard to today's accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its mobile application "OSH 2.0", website and email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers' unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.

The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees' compensation under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees' compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.

For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should also co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers.

Source: AI-found images