Hong Kong police arrest 4 linked to Taiwan-based group for alleged subversion

Hong Kong national security police have arrested four male suspects, including a 15-year-old boy, for allegedly conspiring to subvert state power by advocating for independence through a group established in Taiwan.

Police said on Thursday that those arrested, aged between 15 and 47, belonged to the Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union, established in Taiwan last November.

The group had recruited members via social media and also organised an online press conference held in Taipei in February, when it announced it would provide military training to Hongkongers abroad with the aim of “eliminating the Communist Party” and “Free[ing] Hong Kong”, the force said.

When the group announced its action plan, members also proposed setting up a temporary national flag and anthem and appealed for international support, according to Chief Superintendent Steve Li Kwai-wah of the force’s National Security Department.

Li said members of the group stepped on the Hong Kong and Chinese national flags, and played the banned protest song “Glory to Hong Kong” outside the city on July 1, the 28th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule.