Taipei, Aug. 22 -- Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has called for the immediate release of two Hong Kong pro-democracy activists following their conviction on subversion charges, expressing concern over what it described as the growing use of national security laws to suppress dissent, the Taipei Times reported.

The MAC expressed "deep regret and sorrow" over the convictions and urged Beijing and the Hong Kong government to end what it described as political persecution and release those detained, according to the report.

Citing Hong Kong media outlet Sing Tao Daily, the Taipei Times reported that the convicted activists are former Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China chairman Lee Cheuk-yan an...