Hong Kong teen sentenced to 3 years’ detention for parodying national anthem and mocking flag in online videos
- Chui Hoi-chun has been sentenced over 29 offensive posts published on YouTube, Discord and the LIHKG forum in a span of 28 months
- Part-time waiter’s posts trampled on country’s dignity and hurt people’s feelings, says magistrate

An 18-year-old has received up to three years’ detention in a Hong Kong correctional institution for parodying “March of the Volunteers” on social media in the second conviction under the national anthem law, as well as for charges of insulting the country’s flag and publishing seditious remarks.
Part-time waiter Chui Hoi-chun was sentenced in West Kowloon Court on Tuesday to a training centre over 29 offensive posts published on YouTube, Discord and the LIHKG forum in a span of 28 months between May 2020 and September this year.
Chief Magistrate Victor So Wai-tak said Chui had incited hatred towards mainland China, the city’s administration and police with his “anti-government” posts, adding he had trampled on the country’s dignity and hurt the feelings of the people with his mockery of the national anthem and flag.
An arbiter approved by the city’s leader to oversee national security proceedings, So pointed out that a deterrent sentence was required to prevent copycat behaviour and safeguard the public interest.

Chui pleaded guilty last month to a charge of committing seditious acts, two of insulting the national anthem and one of publishing a desecration of the national flag.