27th December 2024 – (Hong Kong) On 24th December, the Hong Kong Police’s National Security Department released a new list of wanted individuals, which includes Chung Kim-wah, a former associate professor at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Joe Tay, a local artist who now resides in Canada. The announcement raised concerns within the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute (HKPORI), where Chung previously held the position of deputy chief executive.
During a press conference today, HKPORI President Robert Chung stated that he believes the charges against Chung Kim-wah are unrelated to the institute. He confirmed that Chung’s contract with HKPORI ended in April 2022, and since then, there has been minimal contact between them.
Robert Chung emphasised that the institute’s research activities remain unaffected by these developments and assured that HKPORI operates within legal boundaries, carefully considering all legal implications before hosting events. He expressed confidence that there are no national security risks associated with their work.
Chung Kim-wah is wanted on charges of inciting national division. Robert Chung acknowledged that while Chung had previously expressed concerns about personal freedoms upon leaving Hong Kong, he did not link these concerns to his work at the institute. He speculated that the recent arrest warrant may stem from new evidence or prosecution grounds, reiterating that the police have not conducted any searches or contacted HKPORI regarding the matter.
