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Gwyneth Ho, a journalist for the now-defunct Hong Kong online news outlet Stand News, was affectionately known as the "Big Sister of Stand News" among young Hongkongers. She livestreamed from the front lines during the 2019 protests against the Hong Kong government and the Chinese Communist Party.
Ho continued reporting even after being physically attacked by pro-government thugs.
Now 34, Ho was thrust into a life-altering path after Hong Kong's pro-democracy primaries on July 11-12, 2020. For her involvement, she now faces sentencing on November 19.
Pro-democracy leaders aimed to secure a majority in the Hong Kong Legislative Council (LegCo) elections scheduled for September that year. With a majority, they also hoped to push back government actions by vetoing budget bills and similar actions. Ultimately they aimed to pressure the Hong Kong government to democratize elections for both the Chief Executive and LegCo.
First, they sought to narrow the candidate pool for the Legislative Council elections. To achieve this, the pro-democracy camp held open primaries for all voters.
Massive Turnout Despite Threats
The results spoke volumes. Despite government warnings that the primaries might violate the Hong Kong National Security Law (effective June 30, 2020), the turnout was massive. An estimated 610,000 people — about 13% of the electorate — cast their votes.
Ho, who had by then left journalism, was among the pro-democracy candidates.
"A journalist is responsible to truth and history, but not to the movement itself. I wanted to take responsibility for actively supporting the movement for Hong Kong's democratization," she said in an interview at the time.
Winning the primaries, Ho entered the official race for LegCo seats. "I want to win in the Legislative Council elections and fight with an aggressive stance in the legislature," she further explained.
Relentless Stand for Freedom
However, her battlefield would not be the legislature. The 2020 election was postponed, and by February 2021, Ho and 46 other pro-democracy candidates had been arrested. They were charged with conspiracy to subvert state power under the National Security Law and imprisoned.
Judges appointed by the Chief Executive oversee cases involving the National Security law. That connection makes a fair trial highly unlikely. Many activists pleaded guilty, hoping to receive reduced sentences. However, Ho did not.
"Even if the pro-democracy side had secured a majority in the Legislative Council, Beijing might have revoked it. But we needed to show Hong Kong's political will and determination," Ho said.
"Hong Kong people do not want to live under a system where the government controls every aspect of life," she continued. "Isn't it widely accepted in academia that China operates under a totalitarian system?"
Last Flash of Freedom
Sixteen people among the 47 pro-democracy defendants refused to plead guilty. On May 30, 2024, Ho and 13 others were also found guilty. Meanwhile, another two were acquitted. Sentencing for the 45 defendants, including those who pleaded guilty, is scheduled for November 19.
"Hong Kong belongs to the Hong Kong people, not the Chinese Communist Party. I want to send that message to China through my vote!" said a man in his 60s who also cast his ballot in the 2020 primaries.
In retrospect, the primaries were the last flash of freedom in Hong Kong under the National Security Law.
Four years later, the "Big Sister of Stand News" stands in court, speaking for citizens who have buried their anger and sadness deep inside. Ho herself has not sought clemency.
Heavy penalties are expected for Ho and other pro-democracy activists on November 19. This date will symbolize the current state of Hong Kong, where freedom and democracy have been trampled by China's National Security Law.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: Kinya Fujimoto, The Sankei Shimbun
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