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Hong Kong courts
Hong KongLaw and Crime

Mentally disabled Hong Kong waiter gets 28 months for inciting subversion

Chan Ho-hin, 23, earlier pleaded guilty to publishing 118 subversive messages on his social media accounts

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National and Hong Kong flags line Park Lane Shopper’s Boulevard in Tsim Sha Tsui, ahead of the 29th anniversary of city's return to Chinese sovereignty on July 1. Photo: Jelly Tse
Fiona Chow

A Hong Kong court has sentenced a man with an intellectual disability to two years and four months in prison for inciting subversion, promoting a pro-Taiwan party and disseminating anti-Communist Party messages, with the judge noting that his condition had affected his moral judgment.

District Court Judge Stanley Chan Kwong-chi on Monday sentenced Chan Ho-hin, a 23-year-old waiter, who had earlier pleaded guilty to publishing 118 subversive messages on his social media accounts between June 27, 2024, and April 24, 2025.

The defendant repeatedly posted messages suggesting the Taiwanese government could “liberate” Hong Kong if it were to regain power in mainland China.
The posts advocated a revolution to overthrow the Communist Party and promoted Hong Kong independence, in violation of the national security law.

In April last year, the defendant also sought to disseminate his views offering to mail letters to like-minded individuals locally and attempting to send leaflets to Thailand to promote the Chinese Pro-Taiwan Anti-CCP Restoration Party, which is based on the self-ruled island.

Though he denied being a party member, evidence showed that the defendant had frequent exchanges with a person claiming to be Cheng Kai-li, the party’s secretary general.

The defendant said he supported the party’s manifesto and the unification of China under Taiwan’s government.

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