Lawmaker Tse clarifies Facebook posts were for record-keeping, not to incite hatred

Hong Kong lawmaker Tse Wai-chuen has sparked controversy with his recent actions on social media. In a post on Saturday, Tse stated that the content on his Facebook page was for record-keeping purposes only, and disabled the function for people to leave comments on his page.

Tse clarified that his criticisms were intended to raise questions and suggestions for improvement, rather than to incite hatred or contempt towards the national system or government institutions. He emphasized that his actions were not meant to betray the constitutional order of the Special Administrative Region (SAR).

This move comes amidst heightened tensions in Hong Kong over the implementation of national security laws mandated by Article 23 of the Basic Law. The legislation introduced new offences related to treason, incitement to mutiny, theft of state secrets, and external interference, among others.

Tse’s decision to include a disclaimer on his page has drawn attention, especially after a heated exchange with Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu earlier this year. Lee reprimanded Tse for his comments about the government’s handling of public opinion, stating that such actions could stir up conflicts.

Despite the backlash, Tse remains steadfast in his commitment to criticize government policies when necessary. He maintains that there is a line to observe and be vigilant about, but he will continue to speak out on issues that he believes require attention.

As tensions continue to simmer in Hong Kong, Tse’s actions highlight the delicate balance between freedom of expression and compliance with national security laws. It remains to be seen how his actions will be perceived in the broader political landscape of the city.