Hong Kong Police Warn of Punishment for Downloading Mobile Game Deemed Seditious
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Hong Kong Police Force warned residents that downloading or sharing a mobile game app called "Reversed Front: Bonfire" may be considered a punishable offence under national security laws. The game, which allows players to "pledge allegiance" to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Tibet or Uyghurs, among other options, "to overthrow the Communist regime", has been deemed a potential threat to national security.
According to the game’s website, players can engage in a range of activities, including pledging allegiance to various groups or regions. The game’s creators describe it as a "work of non-fiction", adding that "any similarity to actual agencies, policies or ethnic groups of the PRC in this game is intentional". The game also allows users to play as communists to fight enemies and support the communist revolution.
The police statement, reported by the BBC, warned that those who download the game "may be regarded as in possession of a publication that has a seditious intention". The police also cautioned against providing funding to the app developer, ESC Taiwan. "’Reversed Front: Bonfire’ was released under the guise of a game with the aim of promoting secessionist agendas such as ‘Taiwan independence’ and ‘Hong Kong independence’," said the police statement. "Those who have downloaded the application should uninstall it immediately and must not attempt to defy the law."
The game’s availability on app stores has been curtailed, with it no longer accessible on Google Play or Apple’s App Store from Hong Kong as of Wednesday. However, the warning issued by the police may have inadvertently brought more attention to the game, with the game’s creators appearing to embrace the news surrounding its ban in the city. In a post, they wrote that the game had been "introduced to the entire Hong Kong" as a result.
The development comes as Beijing continues to tighten its grip over Hong Kong, with the city seeing an increased crackdown on dissent in the wake of the 2019 pro-democracy protests. In 2020, China imposed a national security law (NSL) on Hong Kong, which critics argue effectively outlawed dissent. The law, which criminalises secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, has been used to charge or jail prominent pro-democracy figures, including media mogul Jimmy Lai and activist Joshua Wong.
Hong Kong is governed under the principle of "one country, two systems", under which China has agreed to give the region a high degree of autonomy and to preserve its economic and social systems for 50 years from the date of the handover. However, critics argue that the implementation of the NSL has breached the "one country, two systems" principle, with Beijing and Hong Kong maintaining that the NSL ensures the "resolute, full and faithful implementation" of "one country, two systems". The BBC reports that the police are taking a dim view of the game, with the potential for those involved to face punishment.
The issue highlights the increasingly complex and sensitive nature of the relationship between Hong Kong and mainland China, with issues surrounding national security and dissent continuing to come to the fore. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the authorities will respond to the game and its users. The BBC will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
The authorities’ concerns about the game’s potential impact on national security are valid, according to the BBC source. As the police statement noted, "Reversed Front: Bonfire" has the potential to promote secessionist agendas, which could be seen as a threat to national security. The game’s creators’ decision to describe it as a "work of non-fiction" may also be seen as an attempt to blur the lines between reality and fiction, potentially leading to confusion and misinformation. Ultimately, the authorities’ decision to warn residents about the game’s potential risks highlights the need for vigilance in the face of potential threats to national security.
