BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityAsiaChinaIndiaHK jails European citizen for ‘demonising China’Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, A Portuguese citizen who also held a Hong Kong ID card is the first foreign national to be jailed under the city’s National Security LawFrances MaoBBC NewsPublished1 hour agoA Portuguese man has become the first European citizen jailed under the China-imposed National Security Law in Hong Kong, a law widely criticised by rights groups.Joseph John, also known as Wong Kin-chung, holds dual Portuguese and Hong Kong nationality and was previously based in the UK.He was arrested for posting pro-independence and anti-China content on social media, after returning to Hong Kong to visit family in 2022 In February, he was convicted of “secession” and on Thursday sentenced to five years in jail.Under the law, secession is the offence of advocating for Hong Kong to break away from China.John, 41, had previously been the head of a little-known group calling itself the Hong Kong Independence Party, where he operated the group’s Facebook and other social media accounts as well as a UK-registered website.The group advocated for foreign intervention in China’s rule over Hong Kong following the 2019 pro-democracy protests.In the wake of Beijing’s crackdown on protest, the group called for the “UK and US to send troops to Hong Kong” with online posts about petitions for foreign intervention and crowdfunding for an independent Hong Kong army.The pages were shut down in 2022, when John returned to Hong Kong to visit his ailing mother and was arrested by authorities.He pleaded guilty to “inciting secession” in February. In his sentencing trial on Thursday, Judge Ernest Lin said John had “distorted history, demonised China, and appealed to foreign countries to destroy [Hong Kong] and China by political or simply violent means”.He was sentenced to five years – the mandatory minimum now given to “serious” National Security Law cases. This has become the new legal standard set in the territory in recent years.How rule of law has deteriorated in Hong KongA guide to the National Security LawJohn had already been held in custody for 16 months – having been denied bail as a defendant charged under the National Security Law. It is now standard practice in Hong Kong for bail rights to be denied to those charged under the law, legal experts say.Portuguese consular officials as well as representatives from the European Union were in the Hong Kong District Court on Thursday.Portuguese officials said during John’s detention, they had been denied access to him.It’s been reported that Hong Kongers with dual nationality have not been able to receive foreign consular assistance as the city’s officials have been enforcing Chinese nationality rules. Beijing does not allow dual citizenship.John is believed to be the first dual national and first foreign citizen jailed under the Beijing’s National Security Law, which was imposed in response to the massive street protests that rocked Hong Kong in 2019 where demonstrators protested China’s increased rule and called for greater democratic rights.Image source, Getty Image caption, Protesters took to the streets of Hong Kong in 2019 to voice opposition to greater control from ChinaSince it was enacted in 2020, more than 290 people have been arrested under the law, with 174 people charged with national security crimes and 112 convicted.It criminalises anything considered as secession; subversion, which is undermining the power or authority of the central government; terrorism, which is using violence or intimidation against people; and collusion with foreign or external forces.China and Hong Kong authorities say the law is necessary to maintain stability in the city, and have rejected arguments it weakened Hong Kong’s autonomy.Rights groups and critics of the law say it crushed the political opposition and silenced any dissent in the city.Last month, Hong Kong also introduced another security law expanding authorities’ reach. 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• April 12, 2024
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