Hongkong – Hong Kong police on Tuesday accused mobile games of applying to advocate for an armed revolution and promote a separatist agenda, saying those who publish or share it online with others may have the potential to violate national security laws.
The announcement – the first publicly condemning the gaming app suggests that authorities are expanding the crackdown after 2019 anti-government protests. Authorities imposed many disagreements through the National Security Law of 2020 imposed by Beijing and similar, similar homemade laws.
Police warned residents not to download the application “Reversal Frontline: Bonfire” in a statement, saying those who install the app may be deemed to have a publication with incitement intentions.
They also warn people not to provide financial assistance to app developers, including in-app purchases.
Police said: “‘Reversal Front: Bonfire’ was released under the guise of a game, with the aim of promoting the divestiture agenda such as ‘Taiwan independence’ and ‘Hong Kong independence, advocating the armed revolution and overturning the basic system of the People’s Republic of China.”
The gaming app was developed by Esc Taiwan, which did not immediately respond to AP’s request for comment. On the app’s Facebook page, developers posted searches on the game’s name and a fierce search of the Hong Kong Broadcasting Corporation’s news reports on Tuesday’s development.
According to the introduction of the app, players can play the role of Hong Kong, Tibet, Yuliger, Taiwan or Catholic rebel factions to overthrow the Communist regime. They also have the option to lead the Communist Party to defeat all enemies.
The game’s website says “This is a non-fiction piece. Any similarities to entities, policies, or ethnic groups in the game are intentional.”
On Tuesday night, the app was still available on Apple’s App Store, but not in the Google Play Store. The game publisher said last month that Google Play has removed the app because it does not prohibit users from adopting hateful language in their naming.
Apple, Google and Meta have not commented immediately.
After playing the game for about three months, Taiwan’s Kuo Hao Fu said he found its content to use a humorous approach to describe serious political problems. Fu disagreed with the police’s allegations, saying players could also choose to be part of the Chinese forces.
“The actions of the Hong Kong police show how democratic freedoms in Hong Kong are controlled by the Chinese Communist Party,” he said. “Even if this level cannot be tolerated, it will completely undermine the creative freedom in the game.”
China believes that Taiwan is its territory and will be controlled by its force if necessary. Many Taiwanese since the ruling islands have expressed concern about the free decline under Beijing’s grip.
The Beijing and Hong Kong governments insist that the New York City National Security Law must be returned to stability after the protests.
