Hong Kong’s Tiananmen vigil activist admits subversion, 2 deny national security charges

In Hong Kong, the national security trial of three activists, Chow Hang-tung, Albert Ho, and Lee Cheuk-yan, began on January 22, 2026. The former leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China are charged with "inciting subversion of state power" for organizing vigils commemorating the Tiananmen Square massacre. Lee and Chow pleaded not guilty, while Ho pleaded guilty. The annual Tiananmen vigils, previously held in Hong Kong, have been banned since 2020, the same year Beijing imposed a national security law on the territory. Rights groups, including Amnesty International, condemn the trial, arguing it aims to silence dissent and rewrite history regarding the Tiananmen Square crackdown.

The national security trial of Hong Kong pro-democracy activists Chow Hang-tung, Lee Cheuk-yan, and Albert Ho is set to begin Thursday. They are charged with inciting subversion under Hong Kong's national security law for organizing annual Tiananmen Square massacre memorials. The three were key members of the Hong Kong Alliance, which held the only mass memorial for the massacre on Chinese territory until the vigil was banned in 2020. The defendants face up to 10 years in prison if convicted under the national security law, which has a high conviction rate. The Hong Kong Alliance disbanded in 2021 under increasing pressure from authorities.

In Hong Kong, former opposition lawmaker Albert Ho Chun-yan pleaded guilty to inciting subversion under the national security law. The charge stems from his role as vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Alliance, which advocated for an end to Communist Party rule in mainland China. Prosecutors allege that Ho and the Alliance continued their activities, including fundraising and holding exhibitions, after the national security law was enacted in June 2020. The Alliance, known for organizing the annual Tiananmen Square vigil, is accused of spreading negative information about the Chinese regime. Former chairman Lee Cheuk-yan and vice-chairwoman Chow Hang-tung pleaded not guilty to the same charge and will contest it in court. Ho faces up to 10 years in jail.