Hong Kong Cantopop singer Hins Cheung, who previously expressed support for the city’s social movements, will lead young people arrested during the 2019 anti-government protests on visits to mainland China to witness the country’s prosperity and serve as a mentor for a “special rehabilitation project” under the Security Bureau.
Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung also revealed on Saturday that the project, which had been running over the past two years, targeted about 7,000 people arrested but not prosecuted during the protests.
In an interview with Wen Wei Po published on Saturday, the 45-year-old singer expressed “deep repentance” for his past inappropriate words and actions, saying he would personally lead youth exchange visits to the mainland during the first half of the year.
He also admitted that he was “impetuous in his youth”, lacked a “thorough understanding of the social situation”, and added that some of his past performances were “inappropriate” and led the public to doubt his patriotism.
Cheung had voiced support for the protests against national education in 2012, and the Occupy Central movement in 2014, where he sang the movement’s theme song with Anthony Wong Chau-sang.
“I know many people have questioned my love for my country and Hong Kong because of this. Today, I offer my sincere apology,” he said.
