Hong Kong politics in 2023: major trials, HK$1 million bounties on fugitives and an election with record-low turnout

2023 opened and closed with high-profile national security trials, as well as big firsts for city leader John Lee and district council revamp at other points

The year also sets the stage for political scene in 2024 as city authorities vow to press ahead with implementing Hong Kong’s own national security law

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Outside a district council polling booth in North Point. Hong Kong’s political scene went through a series of shake-ups in 2023. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 8:30am, 31 Dec 2023Updated: 2:39pm, 4 Jan 2024

Hong Kong started 2023 with news of a high-profile trial of 47 opposition politicians accused of subversion for being involved in an unofficial primary election and closed the year with another closely watched case, involving media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, who is accused of sedition and collusion with foreign forces.

For the first time, Hong Kong authorities announced a bounty of HK$1 million (US$128,000) each for the arrest of eight wanted opposition figures now settled overseas and accused of violating the national security law. The list has grown to 13.

On another front, a key Beijing official overseeing Hong Kong affairs made a fact-finding trip to the city and said residents should choose ways other than protests to express their views. Xia Baolong also urged Hongkongers to stay vigilant and protect national security.

The city this year also held its first district council election under revamped rules that allow only “patriots” to contest. It drew a record-low turnout of 27.54 per cent, despite months of efforts by government officials encouraging people to vote.

Here is a look back at key events in the city’s political scene over 2023.

Police officers patrol outside West Kowloon Court as Jimmy Lai’s national security trial kicks off in December. Photo: Sam Tsang

47 opposition figures on trial

The jury-free trial of 47 opposition figures ended in December after spanning 10 months. The defendants, including legal scholar Benny Tai Yiu-ting and student activist Joshua Wong Chi-fung, were involved in an unofficial primary poll in 2020 to shortlist opposition candidates for the Legislative Council election.