On Friday, Tong Ying-kit, the young man who hit three policemen with a motorcycle displaying the words "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times" on June 1, 2020, was sentenced to nine years in prison for secession and a terrorist attack.

The meaning of that case can never be overestimated. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has adopted a common law system in which judicial precedent is of the utmost importance.

Now, with Tong convicted and receiving nine years in prison, the local court has set a judicial precedent that those attacking the police will be considered terrorists, while those openly holding any banner with the slogan "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times" will be considered secessionists. That will send a clear signal to separatists and warn them not to seek trouble.

For a long time there had been a few voices in Hong Kong arguing "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times" does not necessarily mean Hong Kong "independence", despite the fact the belief had been widely held by people participating in the 2019 riots. It was even widely used by "Returning Valiant", the terrorist organization that planned to bomb courts, railway stations and garbage cans with improvised explosive devices.

Now with the judicial ruling, it is clear this slogan is associated with secession. Those who plan violence will no longer be able to hide behind it, and it would be difficult for them to find another cover.

A further look at Tong's case will find the highest possible penalty for his crimes is life imprisonment, yet he received nine years in prison. That means judges in Hong Kong have shown lenience to him and given him the chance to correct his wrongdoings.

It should be everyone's sincere hope he will make good use of that time, and make contributions to the social development of Hong Kong after his release.