 The first person charged under the national security law in Hong Kong has pleaded not guilty as his trial began almost a year after he was accused of driving his motorbike into offices at a rally while carrying a flag with a protest slogan. The case of Tong Ying Kit is seen as a departure from Hong Kong's common law traditions and it was denied bail and a jury and a test of the government's claim that the slogan liberate Hong Kong revolution of our times is secessionist. He was arrested on the 1st of July 2020, hours after the enactment of the national security law which punishes what China deems as subversion, secessionism, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to a life in prison. Tong faces charges of terrorism and inciting a secession as well as an alternative charge of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm which can lead to up to 7 years in prison.