Hong Kong Retiree Jailed Under Article 23 for Seditious Facebook Posts
A 61-year-old Hong Kong retiree, Raymond Chong Wai-man, has been sentenced to one year in prison after pleading guilty to publishing seditious content on social media. The conviction falls under the city’s domestic national security law, commonly referred to as Article 23.
Case Overview and Sentencing
Raymond Chong appeared before national security judge Victor So at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, where he pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly publishing publications with seditious intention. Whereas the magistrate initially handed down an 18-month sentence, it was discounted by six months due to Chong’s guilty plea, resulting in a final one-year jail term. According to Hong Kong Free Press, Chong is a retiree in his early 60s.
The Nature of the Seditious Content
The prosecution focused on 53 social media posts published between March 26, 2024 and November 29, 2025. Chong operated a public Facebook page titled “Holy Raymond,” which featured a profile picture containing the phrase “Heaven will destroy the Chinese Communist Party, God bless Hong Kong.”
Specific remarks that drew official attention included:
- Claims that “Hong Kong independence is within sight” and that “dissolving the Chinese Communist Party is the most key thing.”
- Comments regarding the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po—a devastating blaze that killed 168 people—suggesting such an event could trigger political resistance similar to the 2019 anti-extradition bill movement.
- Assertions that “Xi Jindong” (a portmanteau of Xi Jinping and Mao Zedong) had lost his grip on power.
- Suggestions that U.S. President Donald Trump could punish the central government if Beijing suppressed large-scale protests in Hong Kong.
As reported by the South China Morning Post, prosecutors argued these statements were intended to provoke hatred, contempt, or disaffection toward the authorities.
Defense and Mitigation
During the sentencing process, Chong’s legal counsel provided several points of mitigation:
- Beliefs: The defense stated that Chong is a Falun Gong believer and developed a hatred for the Chinese Communist Party based on information regarding live organ harvesting.
- Intent: His lawyer argued that Chong was simply venting emotions and sharing political views without the intent to incite others or create a real-world impact.
- Reach: Despite having 4,677 followers, the defense claimed that “barely anyone responded” to the posts.
Key Takeaways
- Legal Basis: The conviction was secured under the city’s homegrown national security law (Article 23).
- Offense: 53 Facebook posts were deemed seditious for denigrating central and local authorities.
- Sentence: 12 months of imprisonment following a guilty plea.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Article 23?
Article 23 refers to the domestic national security law of Hong Kong, which allows the government to prosecute offenses such as sedition and the publication of seditious materials.
What triggered the specific interest in the Wang Fuk Court fire comments?
The court took issue with Chong’s suggestion that the tragedy could be a catalyst for political unrest and resistance campaigns similar to the 2019 protests.