High Court awards HK$1.5 million in Apple Daily libel case
HK01 · 3 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong’s High Court ruled on Monday that 10 Apple Daily print and online reports published between November and December 2019 were defamatory toward China Innovation Investment Ltd, chairman Xiang Xin and his wife Gong Qing. The court ordered Apple Daily Ltd and Apple Daily Internet Ltd to pay a total of HK$1.5 million in damages, together with legal costs.
Key Points
- Judge Anthony Chan Siu-tung said the defendants did not attend trial with witnesses or supporting evidence, and did not challenge the couple’s testimony.
- The plaintiffs said the articles portrayed China Innovation Investment as an intelligence front and Xiang Xin and Gong Qing as Chinese spies acting on Communist Party and PLA instructions.
- The reports also alleged secret funding, intelligence-gathering in Hong Kong, involvement in the 2015 abduction and detention of Hong Kong residents, and links with triads and media mobilisation.
- The court rejected the defence of qualified privilege or public-interest reporting because the defendants produced no evidence of verification, witness testimony, or efforts to seek the plaintiffs’ explanation.
- Damages were awarded as HK$600,000 to the company, HK$500,000 to Xiang Xin, and HK$400,000 to Gong Qing, including aggravated damages for the couple.
Why It Matters
The ruling underlines that even in cases involving matters said to be of public interest, Hong Kong courts still require defendants to show evidence, verification steps and a fair opportunity for response. It also closes another chapter in litigation arising from the 2019 “spy” allegations that affected the couple’s ability to leave Taiwan and the company’s operations and share price.