BBC: First person convicted under Hong Kong's National Security Law has been sentenced to nine years in prison

On 30 July 2021, Benedict Rogers was interviewed by the BBC on Tong Ying-kit’s sentence.

Benedict said:

“It’s a wholly disproportionate sentence".”

“No one condones the act of driving a motorbike into the police but the citing of that phrase [“Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times”] on that flag represents a further undermining of freedom of expression.”

“This is the first case that sets the precedent.”

“The international community really has to take a stand. Apart from the very generous offer from Britain to BNO status holder from Hong Kong, there’s been very little action. We need now to see real pressure on the Chinese authorities in the form of targeted sanctions against officials in Beijing and Hong Kong who have dismantled Hong Kong’s freedoms in total breach of an international treaty.”