Two men with autism jailed for conspiracy to commit secession in Hong Kong

Two men with autism have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in the Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union, a Taiwan based group advocating for Hong Kong independence. Chan Tai sum, 27, was sentenced to 38 months in prison, while Ng Chi tung, 25, received a sentence of 36 months. Both men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit secession.

The court heard that the pair were active members of the organization between November 2024 and July 2025. Evidence found on their phones and Google Drive included chat logs, a draft logo for the group, and letters urging the United States to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and mainland Chinese officials. Judge Ernest Lin stated that the pair acted as advisers and devised a full plan to advance the group's goals, although the plan was not carried out. Specifically, Chan was responsible for designing promotional materials and compiling personal data on police officers and their families.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that Chan sought to join the group to obtain political asylum in Canada, while Ng claimed he joined out of curiosity. Judge Lin described Chan's attempt to attract foreign forces as selling out one's country for personal glory. The judge also noted that Chan was a repeat offender, having been jailed for 12 months in 2022 for sedition.

Reporting on the event differed based on political lean. The center left source focused on the defendants' autism and the broader context of the Beijing imposed national security law, noting that the legislation has led to hundreds of arrests and the disappearance of civil society groups. The center right source emphasized the nature of the secession plot, highlighting the group's calls for an army to restore the city and the defendants' roles in gathering data on police officers.