Kwok Yin-sang, 68, has made history as the first individual to be convicted under the national security law in Hong Kong, specifically under Article 23, which addresses financial dealings related to absconders. The case surrounds his attempts to withdraw funds from an education savings policy intended for his daughter, Anna Kwok, who is a well-known pro-democracy activist residing in the US. This incident has sparked international condemnation and concerns over the targeting of family members of political dissidents.

Anna Kwok is a leading figure in the Washington-based Hong Kong Democracy Council and is among the 34 overseas activists wanted by Hong Kong authorities under allegations of colluding with foreign powers and under the national security law. The Hong Kong police have put a bounty of HK$1 million (approximately $127,400) for her capture. In this case, Kwok Yin-sang's efforts to withdraw approximately HK$88,609 ($11,342) from an insurance policy has been interpreted by authorities as an infringement of the laws establishing strict controls over financial transactions related to personae non gratae like his daughter.

This conviction not only raises questions about the legal framework governing national security in Hong Kong but also highlights a broader trend where the state's power is extending to family members of dissidents. Critics argue that the conviction represents a chilling effect on free expression and dissent in Hong Kong and draws attention to the increasing repression faced by activists and their families under the current political climate. It underscores the implications of the national security law as tools of intimidation against those who speak out against Beijing's tightening grip on the region.