Australian activist Gordon Ng jailed in Hong Kong over national security charges

Australian citizen Gordon Ng has been sentenced to more than seven years jail time by Hong Kong courts, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong vowing to continue to object to his detainment.

The pro-democracy activist and dual Australian and Hong Kong National was convicted of national security charges in May this year after he was arrested alongside 46 other campaigners for holding an unofficial primary election in July 2020.

Known as the Hong Kong 47, 45 members of the group have been convicted of Beijing-implemented “conspiracy to commit subversion” laws, receiving sentences between three months to 10 years.

The laws have been criticised as authoritarian and were implemented in 2020 following at times violent anti-China protests in 2019 and 2020.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Senator Wong said she was “gravely concerned” by the sentence.

“This is a deeply difficult time for Mr Ng, his family and supporters. Our thoughts are with them following the sentencing,” she said.

“The Australian Government has advocated at senior levels in support of Mr Ng’s best interests and welfare and has sought consular access to Mr Ng. We will continue to do so.”

Senator Wong also voiced “strong objections” to anti freedom of expression laws.

“Australia has expressed our strong objections to the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities on the continuing broad application of national security legislation, including in application to Australian citizens,” she said.

“We call for China to cease suppression of freedoms of expression, assembly, media and civil society, consistent with the Human Rights Committee and Special Procedure recommendations, including the repeal of the National Security Law in Hong Kong.”

While Hong Kong governs itself separately from Beijing, and is considered as a special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China.