The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Saturday denounced what it described as "baseless" smears and slanders from external forces following a High Court verdict that convicted the now-defunct anti-China Hong Kong Alliance and two of its former leaders of inciting subversion.
In a statement, the government characterized Friday's ruling as forceful, compelling, well-reasoned, and sound, saying the judgment set out in detail the court's analysis of the applicable legal principles and evidence, as well as the reasons behind the convictions.
The court found the disbanded alliance, its former chairman Lee Cheuk-yan, and former vice-chairperson Chow Hang-tung guilty of inciting subversion, citing actions that the court said stirred up public hatred against the Communist Party of China (CPC) and advocated ending the Party's leadership. Another former chairman of the group, Albert Ho Chun-yan, pleaded guilty to the same charge in January 2026, according to the statement.
Responding to criticism from what it described as various Western countries, anti-China media outlets, organizations, and politicians, the HKSAR government said the court's reasons made clear that the defendants were not prosecuted for their political views or beliefs. A government spokesman said the court's task was to consider only the laws and evidence relevant to the case and determine whether the prosecution had proven the charge beyond reasonable doubt.
The spokesman added that the constitution is the fundamental law of the state and forms the core of the HKSAR's constitutional order, arguing that no country's constitution would allow citizens to subvert the constitutional order and fundamental system established under it.
Referring to the judgment, the spokesman said the court found the defendants had long maintained hostility toward the CPC and the central authorities under its leadership. Even after Hong Kong's National Security Law took effect on June 30, 2020, the defendants, the government said, did not retreat but continued on what it called a confrontational course.
The statement also cited the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, noting that certain rights and freedoms—including freedom of speech—may be subject to restrictions when necessary to protect national security, public safety, public order, or the rights and freedoms of others.
Urging the public not to be swayed by external attempts to discredit Hong Kong, the government said people should distinguish between this case and the lawful exercise of freedoms of association, assembly, and speech. It reiterated that Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law and said it will continue to act resolutely against activities that endanger national security, stressing that incitement to subversion is an extremely serious offense.
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