Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Chow Hang-tung began her defense on Wednesday, March 20, 2026, in a national security case alleging she incited subversion of state power. The trial centers around her involvement with the now-disbanded Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Movements in China, and whether the group’s calls for an end to one-party rule constituted an attempt to overthrow the government.
Chow, 41, a lawyer by training, testified that advocating for an end to the Chinese Communist Party’s leadership was not equivalent to subverting the state, according to reports from HKCourtNews. She framed it as a desire to restore power to the people and establish a constitutional democracy.
“Ending one-party rule is not overturning the state,” Chow stated, adding that it meant “overturning an illegal party rule.”
The activist likened the situation to a scenario where “we, as the owners of the country, are asking… to have things returned to us, but are accused of robbery,” the outlet reported.
Chow detailed her long-standing involvement with the Alliance, having joined as a staff member in 2010 after graduating from university. She later became a standing committee member in 2014 and vice-chairperson in 2015, remaining in the role until the group’s dissolution in 2021, which she described as a “non-normal death,” according to stheadline.com.
She defined democracy as “people being the masters” and emphasized the importance of not only regular, fair elections but also the protection of human rights, the rule of law, separation of powers, an independent media, a robust civil society, and a diverse and inclusive social culture, the report stated.
The case, overseen by designated national security law judges Li Yun-ting, Chen Zhong-heng, and Lai Wan-kam, is being prosecuted by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Leah Lai Ka-yi, and Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Jacky Zhang Zhuo-qin. Chow is representing herself, although the Alliance is represented by senior counsel Lin Zhi-ying, and Lee Tak-yan is represented by barrister Shen Shi-wen, stheadline.com reported.
The charges against Chow, along with Lee Tak-yan, former chairpersons Li Wai-ling and Albert Ho, stem from allegations that between July 1, 2020, and September 8, 2021, they incited others to organize, plan, and implement actions aimed at subverting state power – specifically, ending the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, a violation of the Chinese constitution, according to the news outlet. Ho previously pleaded guilty.
During the proceedings on March 19, Chow argued that the Alliance’s annual June 4th vigils were intended to unite people, not incite hatred, as reported by Hong Kong 01.
The trial is closely watched as a key test of the sweeping national security law imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong in 2020, which has led to the suppression of dissent and the arrest of numerous pro-democracy figures. The case highlights the increasingly limited space for political opposition in the city.
