The 4th "Dudu" Independent Book Fair, originally scheduled for November 14-15, saw government departments demand the disqualification of 5 exhibitors citing "force majeure," threatening the cancellation of the entire fair otherwise. No specific reasons or involved departments were disclosed. Previously, Yulin Bookstore and Lewen Bookstore were denied participation in the July 2026 Hong Kong Book Fair.
On October 6, U.S. Senator Merkley and Representative McGovern announced the Hong Kongers' Asylum Pledge Act, which would allow eligible Hong Kongers in the U.S. to apply for green cards. While their applications are pending, they may not be detained or deported by immigration authorities, and their spouses and children may apply together. The bill has not yet been passed.
On October 5, former Hong Kong Alliance vice chair Chow Hang-tung formally appealed her conviction for incitement to subvert state power and her sentence of 7 years and 3 months; the case has not yet been scheduled for a hearing. The Hong Kong Alliance case involved four defendants: Lee Cheuk-yan was sentenced to 7 years, Albert Ho to 5 years and 2 months, and the Alliance was fined HK$1.5 million.
On September 30, Tang Ho-wing, founder of the Hong Kong independent online media "Boom News - Afro," was arrested by the Hong Kong police on suspicion of "publishing false information to incite" on August 31, when he was reporting on a rally commemorating the anniversary of the 2019 crackdown on protests. The Hong Kong Journalists Association said he is the first journalist arrested on suspicion of incitement since the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance took effect, and Reporters Without Borders condemned the weaponization of national security procedures.
On September 30, the U.S. Senate introduced S.5606, the Hong Kongers' Asylum Promise Act, which would allow Hong Kong people in the U.S. who have been granted deferred enforced departure protection to apply for green cards; the bill was subsequently referred to the Judiciary Committee.
On September 22, the UK representative at the UN Human Rights Council called for the repeal of Hong Kong's National Security Law and the release of British citizen Jimmy Lai, who has been sentenced.
On September 22, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee, in accordance with Article 16(2) of the Hong Kong National Security Law, appointed Kong Hok-lai as Deputy Commissioner of Police (National Security), succeeding the retired Kan Kai-yan. The appointment took effect immediately, and Kong was sworn in on the same day. Kong Hok-lai was included in the U.S. sanctions list in 2021.
On September 17, the European Parliament passed a resolution by an overwhelming majority condemning the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance for causing the collapse of freedom, calling on the EU to sanction relevant officials, and demanding the release of political prisoners including Jimmy Lai, Lee Cheuk-yan, Chow Hang-tung, Albert Ho, and Wong Ji-yuet.
On September 16, when Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee announced his Policy Address, he used a white piece of paper to align line by line as he read. Ta Kung Pao reported that this reflected being 'serious and rigorous,' which sparked mockery from netizens regarding official propaganda methods.
At 11:00 AM on September 16, 2026, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee announced the first five-year plan in Hong Kong's history at the Legislative Council. The plan consists of 7 parts and 28 chapters, totaling over 60,000 words, and proposes 22 major indicators, 5 of which are binding. The plan covers targets such as land supply in the Northern Metropolis, innovation activities, industrial development, students, and tourists, requiring relevant indicators to be completed as scheduled.
The Hong Kong SAR government plans to submit its first five-year plan since the founding of the colony on September 16, introducing terms from the mainland's administrative system such as binding indicators and expected indicators.
A supporting document to Hong Kong's Policy Address calls for the Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall to be listed as China's second youth patriotic education base in Hong Kong.
On September 11, 2026, the Hong Kong High Court sentenced leaders of the Alliance for Patriotic Democratic Movements of Hong Kong (ADPL), Lee Cheuk-yan, Chow Hang-tung, and Albert Ho Chun-yan, to five, six, and seven years in prison respectively for subversion of state power. The Hong Kong SAR government and the Legislative Council subsequently issued statements firmly supporting the verdict and accusing the US, the West, and overseas organizations of slander and smearing. Police Commissioner Raymond Siu warned that there are still hidden criminals. The EU issued a statement saying the trial was politically motivated and warned of damage to Hong Kong's rule of law reputation; the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called for the abolition of the penalty and demanded that the National Security Law comply with international human rights standards.
Former Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa passed away in Hong Kong yesterday around 10 PM, at the age of 89. His ancestral home is Ningbo, and he moved to Hong Kong with his family after growing up in Shanghai. Tung Chee-hwa was the first Chief Executive of Hong Kong and has been long regarded as a pro-CCP political figure during and after his term.
On September 2, 2026, Joshua Wong, former secretary-general of Demosisto in Hong Kong, who is currently serving a sentence, pleaded guilty in the Hong Kong High Court to one count of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces, and Judge Tam Yiu-ho announced that the sentencing would be adjourned.