Chairman of the Hong Kong Journalist Association, Ronson Chan Ron-sing, announced on Facebook that he would arrive in Hong Kong on April 23 from his trip to Oxford University in the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, Chan received his lawyers’ instruction that his trial set for April 25 would resume on May 16, instead.
The Magistrates’ Court and prosecutors received copies of his flight tickets, which confirmed Chan would return to Hong Kong.
Chan expressed that he missed everything from the people and the love and righteousness of old Hong Kong.
When he stepped out of the arrival hall, he said he was delighted to be back in Hong Kong and could see everyone’s faces without the masks on.
He also thanked Oxford University.
On his flight en route to Hong Kong, Chan mentioned he watched two recent films about the journalism industry. Even from the movies, he could feel the challenge and anticipation journalists had to face of being arrested, sent to jail, or legal persecution
Chan had Hong Kong on his mind during his entire stay in the United Kingdom and kept a close eye on it. “I am thankful that the hurdles of news and media outlets have not been getting worse than when I left.”
Chan mentioned, “It is purposeful to continue the operation of the journalist’s association. However, many Hong Kong journalistic professionals have either quit the industry or left Hong Kong for good.”
As of April 25, the number of members at the Hong Kong Journalist Association has declined to about 200. The chairman would consider whether the association should persist if journalism continued deteriorating in the city.
Chan shared his view during his visit to the United Kingdom. “I can finally understand. Hongkongers living in foreign countries can face different difficulties daily.”
He urged Hongkongers to cheer for each other, wherever they are. “Hongkongers, let’s keep moving.”
On Sept. 29, 2022, the Hong Kong Journalist Association chairperson was about to fly to the United Kingdom for the Reuters Institute Fellowship. But before he could leave, Chan was arrested at MacPherson Stadium, where he conducted an interview.
On Sept. 19, 2022, the former Stand News reporter also was notified that the police had formally pressed charges against Chan with obstruction of police work, and the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court processed the case on Sept. 22.
After the prosecution and defense’s arguments, the magistrate granted Chan bail on a list of conditions, including a HK$20,000 bond.
Other conditions include Chan must report a residential address and inform police upon his arrival in the UK of his address and contact number. Chan was also asked to notify the Hong Kong police within 48 hours should he change his address.
Additionally, Chan’s trial will resume once he returns from the UK after completing his program at Oxford University.
Before his return to Hong Kong, Chan expressed on social media that his lawyer had informed him he no longer had to go to the court on April 25; the trial would resume on May 16.
Despite the police’s suspicion and concern about whether Chan would run away, Chan emphasized many times that he would return to Hong Kong and had nothing to hide or conceal from the police or the court.
