HONG KONG — A Hong Kong man pleaded guilty Monday to sedition for wearing a T-shirt bearing a protest slogan, in the Chinese territory’s first conviction under new local national security legislation.
He was arrested in November while wearing the shirt at the Hong Kong airport.
Sedition is generally defined as inciting hatred or contempt against the Chinese central government, the Hong Kong government or the judiciary.
Officials said the local legislation was necessary to close “loopholes” in a national security law that Beijing imposed in 2020, which did not cover sedition.
Hong Kong and Chinese officials say both laws were necessary to restore stability after the protests, which sometimes turned violent.
Persons:
Chu Kai, “ FDNOL, Chu, ” Chu
Organizations:
Reuters, Hong
Locations:
HONG KONG, Hong Kong, ” Hong Kong, Beijing, United States, British