A Reminder to Pay for One's Sins

Chan on his release day with Reverend Koon last October

Local media outlet Stand News published a three-part interview with the mother of Poon Hiu-wing, who was murdered by Chan Tong-kai in February 2018. That gruesome crime sparked the Hong Kong government's decision to push through the extradition bill that led to last year's months'-long protests.

Chan, 20, and Poon, then 19, went on holiday to Taiwan over two years ago and the night before they were supposed to return to Hong Kong, they had an argument that escalated to Chan killing her, stuffing her body into a suitcase and dumping it before coming back alone.

Poon's mother reported her missing, at which point Chan was arrested for four counts of money laundering, as he withdrew money from his victim's account. He admitted killing Poon and disclosed where he dumped the body, which was later found.

Poon's mother says Chan should go to Taiwan

In Hong Kong he was convicted and sentenced to 29 months in prison, and was released on October 23 last year. The media covered his release, where he publicly apologized to Poon's family, and added he was willing to surrender himself to Taiwan.

But since then he hasn't been seen in public and it has almost been a year since he left prison.

Which is probably why Poon's mother wanted to remind Chan about his promise.

She talked about her daughter who she described as a sweet, filial child who was academically minded, and the mother and daughter would go shopping and watch movies like sisters.

However, she knew her daughter was in a relationship with Chan and didn't approve. 

Since the murder, Poon's mother has suffered bouts of depression. She recalls going to the spot where her daughter's body was found, and she couldn't bear to see the badly decomposed body before cremation.

The hotel Chan and Poon stayed at in Taipei

She had a message for Chan: "God is watching what people do. You can only do yourself and our daughter justice if you deliver on your promise as soon as possible." 

The mother also said that as a victim and an ordinary resident, she felt "very sad" that her daughter's death triggered the social unrest last year. "We didn't know that this would cause a series of social events, we felt very regretful."

Nevertheless, Chan seems to be under the control of Reverend Peter Koon Ho-ming, who had visited the young man when he was in prison and orchestrated his departure from prison, where he was whisked away to a safe house.

Interestingly the pro-Beijing Koon, who is acting as Chan's spokesman, said the man would hand himself over to the Taiwanese authorities when the borders between the two jurisdictions have reopened. Koon added he would travel ahead to Taiwan to lay the groundwork for Chan's surrender.

He also directly replied to Poon's mother's demand:

"Tong-kai has never thought of escaping from this matter. Otherwise he would have denied this when he returned to Hong Kong, and there wouldn't have been an extradition bill."

The priest added: "As I discussed the matter with him and his family, I believe that he will eventually return to Taiwan to turn himself in. I hope that Hong Kong and Taiwan's border will be reopened as soon as possible, so that I can go to Taiwan to arrange for him to turn himself in."

The extradition bill sparked massive protests

But even during the pandemic, there have been flights operating between Hong Kong and Taiwan, and the Taiwanese authorities have even relaxed quarantine measures for business travelers from Hong Kong to only one week, when it was previously two weeks.

In addition, Taiwan's police department have set up a working group on an ad hoc basis to handle Chan's case. It even created a special "single window" mechanism to process Chan's visa application, his expected arrival and other arrangements.

So what's the hold up for Chan?

"I also very much want to resolve this matter as soon as possible," said Koon. "As Poon's mother said, 'God is watching'. I believe that God will put an end to this matter, and I will do everything to arrange for Tong-kai to turn himself in... Let's pray to God about this," he said.

It is very strange for Koon to speak on behalf of Chan, who is an adult and can speak for himself. Why is Koon orchestrating everything? And as flights have not been disrupted by the pandemic, surely there is no more excuse for Chan not to go to Taiwan?

Chan must face the murder charge and the eventually sentencing. 

In fact the earlier he does this the better. Delaying it any further would raise more suspicions. It's the least he can do for Poon's family.