Hong Kong hits back at ‘external forces’ after NGOs, foreign govt’s condemn conviction of Tiananmen vigil activists

Hong Kong's government and legislature have responded to criticism from "external forces" regarding the conviction of two pro-democracy activists for their role in organizing Tiananmen vigils. The ruling party expressed "strong dissatisfaction" with the "baseless slanders" from western nations, anti-China media, organisations and politicians.

Chow Hang-tang and Lee Cheuk-yan were found guilty of inciting subversion and their organization, the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, was dissolved. The government condemned the conviction as it was seen as a decline in freedoms in the city, echoing Beijing's 2018 amendment that stipulated the CCP's leadership is the "defining feature" of the country's "fundamental" socialist system.

Despite Beijing's national security law, the activists refused to back away from their resistance line. The Legislative Council secretariat also condemned the "smearing and slanderous remarks" from external forces, vowing to continue supporting the government in administering according to the law and safeguarding national security.