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

Two Hong Kong men convicted of violating the Beijing-decreed 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 Taiwan-based Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union between November 2024 and July last year.Defence lawyers said the pair were both diagnosed with autism and 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 last release from prison and was unable to turn the page, the court heard.