Miles Kwan

Miles Kwan is a Hong Kong university politics student who recently gained notoriety after calling for an independent investigation into a devastating apartment fire in the Tai Po district. The fire, which claimed the lives of at least 159 people, triggered widespread grief and anger. Kwan launched a petition demanding answers from Hong Kong authorities, leading to his arrest by national security police for "seditious intent." He was detained for two nights. Subsequently, the university expelled him for disciplinary offenses. Kwan's case is newsworthy because it highlights the Hong Kong government's crackdown on dissent, even in response to non-political tragedies, under the auspices of national security laws. Authorities have warned against "external forces" exploiting the fire for political disruption, while critics argue the arrest and expulsion demonstrate an expansive use of security laws to silence dissent.