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Brian Wong

Two Hong Kong men convicted of violating the national security law have said they joined a pro-independence group either to obtain asylum in Canada or “out of curiosity”.
Courier Chan Tai-sum, 27, and waiter Ng Chi-tung, 25, pleaded guilty in the District Court on Friday to conspiracy to commit secession for their involvement with the Taiwan-based Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union between November 2024 and July last year.
Defence lawyers said the pair had been diagnosed with autism and were influenced by the disorder when they committed the offence.
Chan, who was jailed for a year in 2022 for sedition and incitement, felt ostracised by society after his previous release from prison and was unable to move on, the court heard.
Founded by fugitive activist Alan Keung Ka-wai, the union advocates Hong Kong’s “liberation” from mainland Chinese rule, seeks international recognition for a self-proclaimed “Hong Kong Parliament” and supports the establishment of an army to “restore and defend” the city.
Some of the party’s members were sworn in as so-called members of parliament after an election last year, with Keung serving as the pseudo-legislature’s chairman.

Authorities have banned the operations of the union and the Canada-based “parliament” by invoking the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, the domestic version of the national security law.
Text conversations showed that Chan had advised the union on a wide array of topics, ranging from the design of advertising materials and ways to collect the personal information of police officers and their families, to establishing ties with foreign organisations.
He left the union’s chat group after a member was arrested in May last year, but stated he “just hopes we can keep fighting on” and that he would rejoin the discussions after they found a more secure messaging platform.
Upon his arrest on July 9, 2025, Chan claimed that he had only joined the union to secure Canada’s political protection.
Ng, who was arrested on the same day, said he took part in the scheme “out of curiosity” and that he aligned with the group’s pro-independence stance.
A police inquiry revealed the waiter had advised on the union’s policies, such as advocating a new “national flag” for Hong Kong, outlawing specific media outlets and imposing death sentences on government officials.
Officers also found in Ng’s residence various flags they said symbolised separatist movements in Tibet, Xinjiang and Guangdong province.
Judge Ernest Michael Lin Kam-hung extended the defendants’ remand in custody until sentencing on July 29, pending assessments of their backgrounds.
A 16-year-old boy, who served as the union’s secretary, was previously jailed for 3½ years.
Lin declined to spare the teenager a prison sentence, citing his active participation in the conspiracy and maturity despite his young age.


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Hong Kong courts

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The Wan Chai Courts building. Defence lawyers said the pair had been diagnosed with autism and were influenced by the disorder when they committed the offence. Photo: Jelly Tse

The Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union was founded by Alan Keung. Photo: Brian Wong

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The boy pleaded guilty in the District Court on Friday. Photo: Jelly Tse

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Police officers stand outside the West Kowloon Law Courts Building in Sham Shum Po. Photo; Jelly Tse

News

Hong Kong

Law and Crime

Chan Tai-sum, 27, and Ng Chi-tung, 25, plead guilty to secession conspiracy over Taiwan-based Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union roles


Chan Tai-sum, 27, and Ng Chi-tung, 25, plead guilty to secession conspiracy over Taiwan-based Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union roles.


Hong Kong duo admit joining pro-independence group ‘out of curiosity’, asylum bid

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Chan Tai-sum, 27, and Ng Chi-tung, 25, plead guilty to secession conspiracy over Taiwan-based Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union roles

Chan Tai-sum, 27, and Ng Chi-tung, 25, plead guilty to secession conspiracy over Taiwan-based Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union roles