Hins Cheung has apologized for his past criticisms of the Hong Kong government and accepted a role as a mentor for the Security Bureau’s “positive guidance” project. This transition from a former supporter of the Umbrella Movement to a government-aligned mentor has split his fanbase and triggered a digital purge of his social media following.
Cheung expressed regret for his previous言行 (words and actions) in a recent interview with Wen Wei Po, attributing his past political stances to “youthful ignorance” and a lack of understanding of the broader social situation. He admitted he was “clouded by the atmosphere” of the time and vowed not to repeat similar mistakes.
Hins Cheung apologized for past political stances
The apology accompanies his appointment to a project targeting young people who were arrested but not charged during the 2019 anti-extradition law protests. Security Bureau Secretary Chris Tang noted that over 10,000 people were arrested during the unrest, with approximately 7,000 remaining uncharged. The “positive guidance” initiative aims to provide these individuals with a chance at “rehabilitation.”
Cheung will serve as a sharing guest this month and plans to lead participants on exchange visits to mainland China during the first half of the year. He stated these trips will allow participants to witness the country’s prosperity firsthand.
Public reaction remains polarized. Some mainland Chinese netizens on Weibo have expressed support, while others refuse to forgive his past comments. In Hong Kong, some fans view the move as a forced political statement. Ziv, a fan of nearly 20 years, told BBC Chinese that the interview felt like a “risk-avoidance” measure, suggesting the singer was coerced into the public apology.
What the ‘positive guidance’ project actually entails
Cheung didn’t just accept the role; he actively applied for it through his agency, Emperor Entertainment Group (EEG). This proactive approach marks a sharp departure from his history of supporting the Anti-National Education movement and the Occupy Central protests.
The project integrates celebrity influence to shift the perspectives of disillusioned youth. It focuses on “correcting” political outlooks through direct interaction with mentors and exposure to the mainland’s current state.
Digital unfollowing doesn’t signal a rift with peers
Speculation of a professional fallout intensified when fans noticed Cheung’s Instagram account suddenly unfollowed over 1,000 industry colleagues, including close friends Joey Yung and Kenny Kwan. The timing of the digital purge, coming immediately after his government appointment, led to rumors of a “breakup” within the EEG camp.
Kenny Kwan dismissed these concerns during the “EEG 25+ Limited Exhibition” opening. He argued that social media is merely a platform and that “the temperature between people” in real life is what matters. Kwan confirmed he remains in private contact with Cheung and believes the singer has the wisdom to process his emotions privately.
Joey Yung echoed this sentiment, describing Cheung as someone who has “seen the world” and possesses the experience to handle online noise. She stated that the best way to support him now is to focus on his music.
Why Mani Fok views celebrity influence as a duty
EEG CEO Mani Fok defended the appointment, framing it as a matter of social responsibility. She noted that Cheung has a history of supporting youth development through the Education Bureau and the Labour Department, specifically helping young people discover work and improve language skills.
Fok told reporters that the company encourages its artists to use their influence to better society. She didn’t rule out the possibility of other EEG artists taking on similar public or social positions in the future.
Production costs for the 25+ concert exceed $12 million
The controversy arrives as EEG prepares for the “25+ All-Stars Concert” on May 3 and 4 at the Kai Tak stadium. Fok revealed the production carries a nine-figure expenditure (approximately $12.8 million USD or more), noting that the company is prioritizing commemorative value over profit.
The concert’s creative direction faced a recent shakeup when music director Wang Shuangjun suddenly resigned. Joey Yung clarified that communication with Wang remains good and his departure won’t impact her performance. Wang will still serve as the band leader for Aaron Kwok’s segments, flying back from a Chengdu show just in time for the event.
Fok admitted the show’s ambitious scale and long runtimes will likely result in overtime fines from the venue. Despite this, she framed the event as a testament to the unity of EEG artists, mentioning that former company members like Eason Chan will be invited to attend.
Will other EEG artists take on government roles?
Mani Fok has stated that the company believes artists have a responsibility to use their influence for the better of society and does not exclude the possibility of more artists accepting similar social or public positions.
Why did Hins Cheung unfollow his colleagues on Instagram?
While the specific reason for the unfollowing wasn’t disclosed by Cheung, his colleagues Joey Yung and Kenny Kwan have urged the public not to take the digital action seriously, viewing it as separate from their real-world friendships.
What is the goal of the “positive guidance” project?
The project, run by the Security Bureau, provides “rehabilitation opportunities” for youth arrested but not charged during the 2019 protests, helping them understand the national situation through activities and visits to mainland China.
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