Mainland cook admits stabbing teen

A mainlander who sliced open the stomach of a youngster distributing anti-fugitive bill leaflets in 2019 yesterday said he was worried he would be attacked by a "pack of wolves" because he felt alienated in a crowd of protesters.

Liu Guosheng, a 24-year-old cook, yesterday pleaded guilty to a count of wounding with intent for stabbing the 19-year-old student in his neck and stomach on October 19, 2019.

Liu arrived from Shenzhen on October 18, 2019, on a two-way permit and bought an 11-centimeter-long fruit knife upon arrival.

The next day, Liu attacked the student with the knife when he saw him distributing protest leaflets near a "Lennon wall" outside the Tai Po market MTR station.

As he fled he shouted: "Hong Kong is a part of China, you have messed up Hong Kong!"

He then turned himself in at the Tai Po police station.

During the hearing in the high court yesterday, the defense said Liu committed the offense because he felt his safety was threatened when he saw people advocating secession.

Judge Andrew Chan Hing-wai questioned why Liu chose to come if he thought the city was not safe and said Liu should be "completely safe in Shenzhen and did not have to make his way to Hong Kong."

The defense lawyer responded that Liu's claim might sound illogical, but he did want to see why so many people would vandalize the city because it should not happen in a civilized society. However, when Liu saw the protests in person, he felt like he was surrounded by wolves.

The lawyer said the attack was foolish behavior and Liu lost his mind when he attacked the student. Liu was said to have attacked not because of a personal grudge but was driven by his love for China.

Liu did not plan the attack and he did not come to Hong Kong to attack people, the lawyer said, adding Liu would like to apologize to the student.

But Chan questioned the defense's claim that Liu did not plan to commit the crime, adding Liu deliberately bought a knife upon arriving and carried the knife with him.

The defense said Liu would have equipped himself with better weapons if he intended to attack protesters, instead of just holding a fruit knife.

Chan has set the sentencing for May 14 and Liu has been remanded in custody.