Hong Kong’s police chief says there is no fixed national-security “red line” for public activities. Police Commissioner Joe Chow said each case must be considered on its own circumstances rather than treated in the same way, according to reports by RTHK and i-CABLE News.
For people organising a public procession, the stated process begins with notifying police under the Public Order Ordinance. Chow said officers assess the risks by considering national security, public safety and public order, as well as the rights of participants and of people who do not take part.
Chow said Hong Kong’s overall social atmosphere remained calm, while a small minority still sought opportunities to create disorder or incite people to make what he described as unreasonable attacks on the central or Hong Kong SAR governments. He said police could not lower their guard because of those continuing risks.
He was speaking after three former leaders of the now-defunct Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China were sentenced on Friday. Albert Ho, Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung received prison terms ranging from five years and two months to seven years and three months, according to RTHK; Chow said the case was not an ordinary national-security case and that the sentences reflected its seriousness.
The Hong Kong government defended the sentences and condemned criticism from foreign governments, politicians, organisations and media as malicious attacks and smears. A government spokesperson said human rights would be respected and protected while national security was safeguarded, and that the authorities would ensure the law was observed and strictly enforced.
The unresolved practical question is how the stated factors will be weighed in an individual application. Chow’s explanation identifies what police will consider, but does not set out a fixed threshold for the balance between national-security concerns and a proposed public activity.