A Hong Kong teenager was found guilty on Friday of insulting China's national flag and unlawful assembly as Beijing accelerates its crackdown on dissent and the city's pro-democracy movement.

Pro-Beijing authorities have increasingly targeted the most prominent activists in the finance hub, including young leaders such as Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow, who were jailed last week.

Tony Chung, a 19-year-old who led a now-disbanded pro-democracy group, was convicted for throwing the Chinese flag to the ground during scuffles outside Hong Kong's legislature in May 2019.

"The actions of the defendant were out of question defiling the national flag in an open manner. The defendant walked back and jumped to throw the flag which made more people able to see what he did," Magistrate Peony Wong said.

He was arrested by plainclothes police opposite the US consulate in late October and had been remanded in custody since.

Speculation has swirled that police moved on Chung because he was hoping to ask for asylum at the US consulate in Hong Kong.

He did not plead guilty to the flag insult or unlawful assembly, which carry a maximum of three and five years respectively.

He will be sentenced on December 29.

"Hong Kongers hang in there," Chung shouted to supporters in court.

Chung is also the first person to be prosecuted under the sweeping new national security law imposed in June by Beijing on Hong Kong to quell anti-government protests.

He faces a charge of secession under the new law, which could land him a life sentence, as well as separate charges of money laundering and conspiring to publish seditious content.

After Friday's verdict, the former leader of pro-independence group Student Localism will be jailed while awaiting trial for the more severe national security charge.

- 'Performative' -

The alleged flag offence took place during scuffles between rival supporters as pro-democracy lawmakers inside tried to prevent the passing of a now-abandoned extradition bill.

In footage shared at his trial, Chung is seen holding a Chinese flag seized from a Beijing supporter, which he then throws over his shoulder.

Prosecutors had accused him of an intentional insult, calling his squat, jump and throw of the flag "performative".

Chung denied the charge, arguing that he did not realise it was a Chinese flag.

Magistrate Wong&nbsp;said she did not agree that he did not know the red cloth was the Chinese flag as it was clearly seen being waved by the pro-Beijing camp during the scuffles.

Criminal cases for insulting the Chinese flag were rarely seen in the former British colony, but as tensions over Beijing's rule have risen so have such incidents.&nbsp;

In April, an air conditioning apprentice was jailed for 20 days for trampling on the flag and throwing it in the bin at an anti-government protest.

And&nbsp;in July, a man was handed a five-week sentence for burning the flag last year.&nbsp;

Chung and three other members of Student Localism were first arrested in July on suspicion of inciting secession on social media.

His bail conditions from that arrest prevented him from leaving Hong Kong.

Chung's next court hearing on the national security charge is on January 7.

A Hong Kong teenager was found guilty on Friday of insulting China's national flag and unlawful assembly as Beijing accelerates its crackdown on dissent and the city's pro-democracy movement.

A Hong Kong teenager was found guilty on Friday of insulting China's national flag and unlawful assembly as Beijing accelerates its crackdown on dissent and the city's pro-democracy movement. Pro-Beijing authorities have increasingly targeted the most prominent activists in the finance hub, including young leaders such as Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow, who were jailed last week. Tony Chung, a 19-year-old who led a now-disbanded pro-democracy group, was convicted for throwing the Chinese flag to the ground during scuffles outside Hong Kong's legislature in May 2019. "The actions of the defendant were out of question defiling the national flag in an open manner. The defendant walked back and jumped to throw the flag which made more people able to see what he did," Magistrate Peony Wong said. He was arrested by plainclothes police opposite the US consulate in late October and had been remanded in custody since. Speculation has swirled that police moved on Chung because he was hoping to ask for asylum at the US consulate in Hong Kong. He did not plead guilty to the flag insult or unlawful assembly, which carry a maximum of three and five years respectively. He will be sentenced on December 29. "Hong Kongers hang in there," Chung shouted to supporters in court. Chung is also the first person to be prosecuted under the sweeping new national security law imposed in June by Beijing on Hong Kong to quell anti-government protests. He faces a charge of secession under the new law, which could land him a life sentence, as well as separate charges of money laundering and conspiring to publish seditious content. After Friday's verdict, the former leader of pro-independence group Student Localism will be jailed while awaiting trial for the more severe national security charge. - 'Performative' - The alleged flag offence took place during scuffles between rival supporters as pro-democracy lawmakers inside tried to prevent the passing of a now-abandoned extradition bill. In footage shared at his trial, Chung is seen holding a Chinese flag seized from a Beijing supporter, which he then throws over his shoulder. Prosecutors had accused him of an intentional insult, calling his squat, jump and throw of the flag "performative". Chung denied the charge, arguing that he did not realise it was a Chinese flag. Magistrate Wong said she did not agree that he did not know the red cloth was the Chinese flag as it was clearly seen being waved by the pro-Beijing camp during the scuffles. Criminal cases for insulting the Chinese flag were rarely seen in the former British colony, but as tensions over Beijing's rule have risen so have such incidents. In April, an air conditioning apprentice was jailed for 20 days for trampling on the flag and throwing it in the bin at an anti-government protest. And in July, a man was handed a five-week sentence for burning the flag last year. Chung and three other members of Student Localism were first arrested in July on suspicion of inciting secession on social media. His bail conditions from that arrest prevented him from leaving Hong Kong. Chung's next court hearing on the national security charge is on January 7.

Hong Kong teen found guilty in China flag insult case

In 2012, parents in Hong Kong made their children tear up textbooks of "model China" as booklets sought to brainwash young minds. Beijing had one aim - to turn Hong Kongers into loyal subjects of China.

Eight years ago, 90,000 parents and teenagers had marched in protest. In 2020, however, they cannot as protests have been banned. China is again re-writing textbooks in Hong Kong openly and legitimately with the over-arching power of the national security law.

This time if the parents say it leads to brainwash, they shall be put behind bars. The phrase separation of power has been removed, enshrining China as the sole ruler. Now, China says basic law will protect the press. Photographs of the Lennon Wall have been deleted which was one of the major artworks of the Umbrella Movement.

China wants to teach young kids in Hong Kong the fear of China, fear of law, fear of protest. China admits it is turning Hong Kong schools into correctional facilities to restore the Chinese identity. Beijing believes the earlier textbooks created radicals like Joshua Wong and Nathan Law. Now, China wants to nip dissent in the bud.

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However, China has failed to edit the newspaper Apple Daily with its owner Jimmy Lai being tried under the new security law. Lai believes China is sucking out the city's last-remaining freedom.

"It's the oxygen is getting thin, and we are all choking, but when we're choking we are still taking care of each other and keep resisting and keep fighting for our rule of law and freedom," Lai said.

Despite being slapped with fresh charges, Jimmy Lai has hit out at China exposing the crackdown on civil servants and businessmen.

US President Donald Trump is all praises for him.

"I feel bad for him because I hear he's a good person. I don't know him but I hear he's a good person, obviously a very brave person," Trump said.

Jimmy Lai says China is running a state censorship factory banning books in libraries and re-writing school curriculum. He says it is like a scene out of George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984. Some Hong Kongers are comparing China to the Nazis and how Adolf Hitler's schools brainwashed young people. Just like the Nazis and Mao, Xi's China is hunting down professors and teachers who don't comply.

At least two prominent lecturers have been fired and at this rate words like human rights and civil disobedience will slip out of the tongue first, then, out of the minds. China's cultural revolution in Hong Kong has begun.

In 2012, parents in Hong Kong made their children tear up textbooks of "model China" as booklets sought to brainwash young minds. Beijing had one aim - to turn Hong Kongers into loyal subjects of China.

In 2012, parents in Hong Kong made their children tear up textbooks of "model China" as booklets sought to brainwash young minds. Beijing had one aim - to turn Hong Kongers into loyal subjects of China. Eight years ago, 90,000 parents and teenagers had marched in protest. In 2020, however, they cannot as protests have been banned. China is again re-writing textbooks in Hong Kong openly and legitimately with the over-arching power of the national security law. This time if the parents say it leads to brainwash, they shall be put behind bars. The phrase separation of power has been removed, enshrining China as the sole ruler. Now, China says basic law will protect the press. Photographs of the Lennon Wall have been deleted which was one of the major artworks of the Umbrella Movement. China wants to teach young kids in Hong Kong the fear of China, fear of law, fear of protest. China admits it is turning Hong Kong schools into correctional facilities to restore the Chinese identity. Beijing believes the earlier textbooks created radicals like Joshua Wong and Nathan Law. Now, China wants to nip dissent in the bud. × However, China has failed to edit the newspaper Apple Daily with its owner Jimmy Lai being tried under the new security law. Lai believes China is sucking out the city's last-remaining freedom. "It's the oxygen is getting thin, and we are all choking, but when we're choking we are still taking care of each other and keep resisting and keep fighting for our rule of law and freedom," Lai said. Despite being slapped with fresh charges, Jimmy Lai has hit out at China exposing the crackdown on civil servants and businessmen. US President Donald Trump is all praises for him. "I feel bad for him because I hear he's a good person. I don't know him but I hear he's a good person, obviously a very brave person," Trump said. Jimmy Lai says China is running a state censorship factory banning books in libraries and re-writing school curriculum. He says it is like a scene out of George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984. Some Hong Kongers are comparing China to the Nazis and how Adolf Hitler's schools brainwashed young people. Just like the Nazis and Mao, Xi's China is hunting down professors and teachers who don't comply. At least two prominent lecturers have been fired and at this rate words like human rights and civil disobedience will slip out of the tongue first, then, out of the minds. China's cultural revolution in Hong Kong has begun.

'Model China': Why the Dragon is rewriting school textbooks in Hong Kong

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Hong Kong teen found guilty in China flag insult case

'Model China': Why the Dragon is rewriting school textbooks in Hong Kong