Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan, former leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, have pleaded not guilty to charges of inciting subversion under the sweeping national security law imposed by China on Hong Kong in 2020.

The case centers on the alliance’s long-standing slogan calling for an end to one-party rule in China, which prosecutors argue amounted to encouraging unlawful efforts to overthrow the leadership of the ruling Communist Party.

Prosecutor Ned Lai told the court that freedoms of speech, assembly and association could not supersede national security legislation, accusing the defendants of attempting to frame the proceedings primarily as a human rights dispute.

“The freedoms of speech, association and assembly mentioned by D2 and D4 are not ‘trump cards’ that can override the law,” Lai said, referring to the defendants by their court identification numbers.

Defense lawyer Erik Shum, representing Lee, argued that prosecutors had failed to establish evidence showing what unlawful acts the alliance had allegedly urged residents to commit.

During earlier hearings, Lee rejected the prosecution’s interpretation of the slogan “ending one-party rule,” saying it referred to democratic reform rather than the removal of Communist Party leadership through illegal means. Chow, a barrister representing herself, argued that her writings were intended to encourage public understanding of democratic aspirations in mainland China rather than incite hatred or unlawful action.

A third defendant, veteran activist Albert Ho, pleaded guilty when proceedings opened in January, a move that could reduce his sentence if convicted.
The trial has become one of the most closely watched national security cases in Hong Kong since Beijing introduced the law following large-scale anti-government protests in 2019.

Critics, including international rights groups, say the legislation has sharply curtailed political dissent and civil liberties in the financial hub. Chinese and Hong Kong authorities maintain the law restored stability after months of unrest.

Amnesty International said the prosecution relied on “vague, overly broad and arbitrary definitions” of subversion and called for the charges against Chow and Lee to be dropped.

For decades, Hong Kong hosted the only large-scale public commemorations on Chinese soil marking the June 4 Tiananmen crackdown, drawing tens of thousands annually to candlelight vigils. Authorities banned the gatherings in 2020, citing pandemic restrictions, and the former vigil site has since hosted events organized by pro-Beijing groups.

The hearing is expected to continue into the afternoon, though judges have not indicated when a verdict may be delivered.