National security law: Hong Kong leader orders removal of Tiananmen vigil alliance from Companies Registry

The government says that since the Beijing-imposed national security law prohibits subversion, the alliance can no longer be allowed to operate

The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China dissolved with immediate effect on Tuesday

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Members of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China attend the group’s last June 4 vigil in 2019. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 6:27pm, 26 Oct 2021Updated: 10:50pm, 26 Oct 2021

Hong Kong’s leader has ordered the group behind the city’s annual Tiananmen Square vigil be struck from the Companies Registry, citing national security concerns, resulting in its immediate dissolution.

The move on Tuesday came a month after the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China voted to cease operating immediately, and appointed two liquidators to initiate winding-up procedures.

Earlier in September, the Security Bureau had confirmed it was in the process of revoking the alliance’s company registration, citing alleged violations of the Beijing-imposed national security law.

According to a statement released by the government, the Executive Council, chaired by city leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, ordered the registrar of companies on Tuesday to remove the alliance pursuant to the Companies Ordinance.

“The [Exco] noted that, amongst other matters, the relevant evidence demonstrates that the alliance has always maintained and promoted its five operational goals, including ‘ending one-party dictatorship’,” a spokesman said.

He added that since the national security law prohibited subversion, the Exco agreed that it was necessary to prohibit the alliance from operating, even though it had already voted to disband.

“Safeguarding national security is a matter of fundamental importance,” the spokesman said in the statement. “Prohibition of the operation of the alliance is a necessary and proportionate restriction on the rights to freedom of association and freedom of speech or expression.

“There is a practical need for the government to take speedy measures in accordance with the law.”