Hong Kong’s dissolved organization, the Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China (Support Group), former chairman Lee Cheuk-yan, former vice-chairman Albert Ho, and Figo Chan, were charged with “incitement to subvert state power.” The case continued today (18th) at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court, with all parties presenting closing arguments. A large number of citizens queued outside the court early this morning to listen in.
The trial began on January 22 this year, with Albert Ho pleading guilty. After the trial and sentencing, related petitions and penalties will be processed, while the rest of the defendants have denied the charges.
Former Support Group executive committee member Teng Yue-jun attended the court this morning to listen in. In an interview, he expressed his disagreement with the prosecution’s argument that “ending one-party rule” is equivalent to “ending Communist Party leadership,” which means “subverting state power.” He believed this was unreasonable and emphasized that the ultimate goal of the Support Group is to build a “democratic China.”
Teng Yue-jun cited the Support Group’s founder Szeto Wah, who stated that “ending one-party rule” is a transitional means to build a “democratic China.” He emphasized, “If you want to build a democratic China, how could you not want to end one-party rule? How can there be a democratic China under one-party rule?”
Teng Yue-jun believed that the ruling would affect outsiders’ perceptions of China’s political system and stressed that everything he had done was in exercise of his civil rights.
When asked about his current feelings, Teng said regardless of the outcome, he hoped everyone would remember the events of 1989 as “a complicated right or wrong,” continuing to commemorate the June 4th movement.
Teng Yue-jun also expressed great respect for the past sacrifices of the three defendants involved in the case and their unwavering commitment. He stated that he wouldn’t describe the “three individuals” as sacrifices but as a “responsibility.”
Miss Liu, who testified in court, recalled that during the student movement in May 1989, she was very concerned and participated in the “Democratic Songs Dedicated to China” and made donations. On the evening of June 3rd, she watched the live broadcast from Beijing at home, feeling nervous until gunshots were heard on the television early the next morning. She mentioned that back then, they could still get information from the television and news, unlike today, where they hardly hear anything. She pondered why, after 37 years, the country hadn’t progressed. “Why the situation now? I feel like there has been a slight regression.”
She continued, stating that on June 4th, many Hong Kongers spontaneously joined the marches. She boiled water at home and distributed it to the protesters; on June 5th, her company closed to participate in the march. She also mentioned that she attended almost every June 4th candlelight vigil in Victoria Park.
Miss Liu remarked that each court hearing, Figo Chan always shook her with her beliefs and conscience. Figo articulated her beliefs and conscience, believing in the justice bestowed upon us by the law. “She always uses justice to confront everything. I won’t say she’s against the judiciary; she wants to tell the judiciary where we stand.”
In the case, the prosecution alleges that the Support Group’s call to “end one-party rule” is equivalent to subverting state power. In response, Lee Cheuk-yan argued that he held no hostility towards the Communist Party, only wishing to promote reform. Zou Xingtong, a barrister representing himself, emphasized that “ending one-party rule” is a call for China to undergo democratic transformation.
Since their arrests on September 9, 2021, Lee Cheuk-yan and Zou Xingtong have been in custody for over four years and eight months. Albert Ho, who pleaded guilty, was initially granted bail but was re-arrested for violating bail conditions and has been in custody for over four years and one month.