Opposition veteran Yeung Sum expresses no regret over loss of Hong Kong government honours alongside two peers
- Democratic Party ex-chairman Yeung Sum argues role in unauthorised assembly was ‘matter of honour and conscience’, no regret over lost Silver Bauhinia Star
- Authorities also withdraw civic honours for Occupy Central co-founder Benny Tai and ex-lawmaker Sin Chung-kai
A veteran Hong Kong opposition politician who was stripped of his civic honours alongside two of his allies over their jail sentences has said he had no regrets, arguing his participation in an unauthorised assembly was a matter of conscience.
Former Democratic Party chairman Yeung Sum, who was released from prison in April after completing a 14-month sentence for taking part in an unauthorised assembly during the 2019 social unrest, also said on Friday that he had not appealed against the government’s decision to strip him of his Silver Bauhinia Star.
“I think it is a matter of honour and conscience for me to stand by the rights to peaceful assembly and protest in Hong Kong,” Yeung, 74, told the Post.
“I don’t feel any regret over being deprived of the honours due to my offence under the Public Order Ordinance by conducting the civil disobedience to defend the civil rights to hold a peaceful assembly and protest in Hong Kong.”
The government honours and titles of ex-lawmaker Sin Chung-kai, also of the Democratic Party, and Occupy Central co-founder Benny Tai Yiu-ting were also forfeited, according to an official notice on Friday.
Tai, previously a legal academic at the University of Hong Kong, was awarded the Medal of Honour in 2001 by then chief executive Tung Chee-hwa for his contributions in promoting the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution, and human rights.
The 57-year-old was sacked by the university in 2020 over a criminal conviction for his role in the 2014 Occupy movement, landing him in jail for 16 months.
Yeung and Sin were awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star in 2009 and 2007 respectively for their long-term participation in public affairs. The two were also appointed as justices of the peace (JP), a title given to those who have made significant contributions to Hong Kong society and community.
A notice published in the government gazette on Friday said Tai, Yeung and Sin had been taken off the list of recipients as of June 10.
According to government rules, honours and awards for recipients who are convicted of offences resulting in a jail sentence of one year or more can be forfeited.
Tai has been remanded in custody since March last year over a national security case involving him and 46 other opposition politicians and activists who were charged with conspiracy to commit subversion for their roles in an unofficial Legislative Council primary election in 2020, described by prosecutors as a “massive and well-organised” plot to paralyse the government and topple the city’s leader.
In May, Tai was sentenced to 10 months in jail for illegally incurring election expenses through newspaper advertisements to promote a tactical voting scheme ahead of the 2016 Legco poll.
Also involved in the same case as Yeung, Sin’s 14-month jail term was suspended for two years owing to his “passive role” in organising the demonstration. He is currently in the United States.
In 2018, the government revoked the medals of disgraced former chief secretary Rafael Hui Si-yan and property tycoon Thomas Kwok Ping-kwong, who were both jailed over corruption convictions. Hui’s case marked the first time a Grand Bauhinia Medal, the city’s top award, had been withdrawn.
Rafael Hui and Thomas Kwok lose civic honours over graft charge
In response to the government decision, Sin, 61, said: “It is an honour to have the opportunity to serve the public. The glory will stay in my heart forever.”
Separately, Hong Kong-based news agency Factwire revealed that it would close down as of Friday after operating for about six years. According to an announcement by the outlet, all staff will be dismissed and monthly subscriptions will be suspended.
“Despite having wrestled many times with the difficult decision as to whether to continue our journalistic work, we had always come to the same affirmative conclusion … but to everything, there is a season, and a time to every purpose. It has, at last, come time to end our journey,” it wrote.
