On February 9, the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of China sentenced Jimmy Lai, an instigator of anti-China riots in Hong Kong, to 20 years in prison.
Lai was found guilty in December by the High Court of the HKSAR on two charges of conspiring to collude with external forces and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious materials. Mitigation hearing for Lai’s case began on January 12 and concluded on January 13.
The Xinhua News Agency quoted a spokesperson for the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR as noting that the 156-day public trial, which involved the examination of 2,220 exhibits, over 80,000 pages of case files and testimonies of 14 prosecution witnesses, had established that Lai colluded with external forces to endanger national security.
A commentary published by news agency asserted that: “Disguised as a media man while acting as an agent for external anti-China forces, Lai was the principal mastermind and perpetrator of a series of riots that shook Hong Kong and undermined the fundamental interests of both the country and the HKSAR. The reality of Lai’s crimes is clear, backed by conclusive evidence. The traitor has received the penalty he deserves… The days when external forces and anti-China destabilising elements could act with impunity are obviously over.”
An article posted on the social media account of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee noted:
“People have realised that Jimmy Lai has never been the so-called ‘fighter for freedom, democracy and human rights,’ but rather the chief culprit and a traitor to the nation who has harmed the country’s fundamental interests and the well-being of Hong Kong residents. Lai’s sentencing has once again proved that justice may be late, but it will come in the end.”
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee said that Lai had long used the now-defunct Apple Daily to poison the minds of Hong Kong people, by inciting hatred, distorting facts, deliberately stirring up social antagonism and glorifying violence. Lai had openly begged for external forces to impose sanctions against China and the HKSAR, sacrificing the well-being of the people of China and the HKSAR.
Lai betrayed the country and harmed the HKSAR. His conviction is supported by overwhelming evidence and he for sure deserves his punishment after all the harm he has done.
The sentence passed on Lai has led to renewed outbursts on the part of international anti-China, anti-socialist forces, not least the British government and media.
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said in a statement: “We stand with the people of Hong Kong, and will always honour the historical commitments made under the legally binding Sino-British Joint Declaration. China must do the same.”
A joint statement by Cooper and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced an “expanded Hong Kong British National (Overseas) route” whereby, “Thousands more Hong Kongers will be able to build new lives in Britain as the government strengthens safe and legal routes to the UK… It is estimated 26,000 people will arrive in the UK over the next 5 years.”
This from a government that is engaged in a relentlessly wicked, cruel and blatantly racist crusade against the most oppressed sections of the working class, particularly refugees and asylum seekers, the overwhelming majority of whom are fleeing from the devastation caused to their homelands by centuries-long and continuing wars, poverty and climate disasters directly resulting from colonial and imperialist super exploitation and oppression.
Indeed, these two wretched creatures (Cooper was Home Secretary until replaced by Mahmood in September 2025) openly boast about their double standards:
“In November, the Home Secretary further affirmed her commitment to Hong Kongers by confirming they will retain a 5-year pathway to permanent UK settlement – compared to a new standard baseline of 10 years’ residence for most other migrants.”
The other exceptions, predictably enough, are Ukrainians along with Afghans who colluded with the occupation of their country.
The provocative actions of the British government met with a firm response from the Chinese Embassy in London:
Asked to comment on Cooper’s statement, the Embassy spokesperson stated that:
“Jimmy Lai fully deserves the punishment imposed on him. The more than 150 days of the trial revealed that he not only openly solicited external interference but also supported and funded relevant organisations to engage in international lobbying for sanctions against China and the HKSAR. He also manipulated media outlets to incite the public to engage in unlawful protests and violence.”
The spokesperson added:
“The facts make it clear that Jimmy Lai was by no means ‘exercising his right to freedom of expression’, as claimed by the UK side, but was instead a principal culprit who harmed China’s fundamental national interests and the well-being of Hong Kong residents and betrayed his country.
“It must be pointed out that Hong Kong has long returned to China, and that British colonial rule over Hong Kong has long ended. The Sino-British Joint Declaration has long fulfilled its historical mission. The constitutional and legal basis for the Chinese government’s governance of Hong Kong lies in the Chinese Constitution and Hong Kong’s Basic Law, not the Sino-British Joint Declaration. The UK side must stop using the Joint Declaration as a pretext to interfere in Hong Kong affairs.
“We urge the UK side to recognise the prevailing trend, abandon double standards, stop shielding criminals, and refrain from any words or actions that interfere in Hong Kong’s rule of law and China’s internal affairs.”
Responding to a further question on the expansion of the BN(O) visa route, the spokesperson noted that China has, “consistently and firmly opposed the UK’s manipulation of the BNO visa scheme, which constitutes interference in China’s internal affairs,” adding:
“Similar moves by the UK in the past have resulted in some misled Hong Kong residents leaving their homes for the UK, only to find themselves reduced to ‘second-class citizens’, facing discrimination and difficulties making a living. The UK’s continued attempts to play the BNO trick are despicable and sinister.
“We urge the UK to recognise the broader trend, stop political manipulation, and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs. Otherwise, it will only bring shame to itself and suffer the consequences of its own actions.”
The following articles were originally published by the Xinhua News Agency and on the website of the Chinese Embassy in London.
Jimmy Lai, mastermind of crimes endangering national security, sentenced to 20 years in prison
HONG KONG, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) — The High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Monday sentenced Jimmy Lai, an instigator of anti-China riots in Hong Kong, to 20 years in prison for three crimes endangering national security.
The sentence was announced along with penalties for other defendants in the national security case. Eight defendants received imprisonment terms ranging from six years and three months to 10 years. The three corporate defendants, namely Apple Daily Limited, Apple Daily Printing Limited, and Apple Daily Internet Limited, were each fined 3,004,500 Hong Kong dollars (about 384,477 U.S. dollars).
In the sentencing of Lai, the court found that Lai was the “mastermind and driving force” behind conspiracies to collude with external forces and to publish seditious materials. After considering Lai’s grave criminal conduct as well as his mitigation, the court handed down the sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, with two of the years overlapping with the prison term Lai is currently serving.
Central government agencies in Hong Kong, as well as local authorities, have voiced support for the sentencing.
The sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment imposed on Jimmy Lai manifested that the rule of law is upheld and justice is done, and also brought great relief to all, said HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee.
Lai betrayed the country and harmed the HKSAR, causing damage to the interests of the country and the HKSAR. His conviction is supported by overwhelming evidence, and he for sure deserves his punishment after all the harm he has done, Lee said.
“The court’s judgment illustrates that the rule of law in Hong Kong is robust,” Tang Ping-keung, secretary for security of the HKSAR government, told reporters on Monday.
Over the years, Lai and his syndicate have misled people with fake news and false information, inflicting irreparable harm on society, said Tang. Even after the enactment of the national security law in Hong Kong, the defendants in the case continued with their crimes for some time until after they were arrested by the police, Tang noted.
The heavy sentence clearly reflected the very serious nature of the offences committed by Lai, said Tang.
The sentencing fully demonstrated judicial fairness and the authority of the rule of law, and reflected the HKSAR’s firm determination and strong will to lawfully punish criminal acts and activities endangering national security, said a spokesperson for the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR.
The facts proved once again that the despicable dealings of external forces and anti-China elements seeking to destabilize Hong Kong are ultimately futile, said the spokesperson.
“The punishment fit the crime,” said a spokesperson for the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR.
The 156-day public trial, which involved the examination of 2,220 exhibits, over 80,000 pages of case files and testimonies of 14 prosecution witnesses, had established that Lai colluded with external forces to endanger national security, the spokesperson noted. The judicial process was open, transparent, rigorous, fair and just, with Lai’s legal rights protected.
The ruling of Jimmy Lai’s case has represented not only the fulfillment of justice, but also a clear warning to anyone who attempts to challenge legal boundaries, said a spokesperson for the Commissioner’s Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR in an open letter to foreign media agencies based in Hong Kong.
The spokesperson called on journalists of foreign media outlets to respect the independence of Hong Kong’s judicial process, uphold journalistic professionalism, and report on the case with objectivity and fairness, refraining from politicizing legal matters.
Jimmy Lai verdict, sentence uphold justice in Hong Kong
BEIJING, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) — The verdict in the Jimmy Lai case affirms justice and serves as a stern warning that anyone who endangers national security and sabotages the stability of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will face severe punishment by law.
The High Court of the HKSAR on Monday sentenced Lai to 20 years in prison, after considering his “serious and grave criminal conduct.” Lai was found guilty on two charges of conspiring to collude with external forces and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious materials. The court found that Lai was “the mastermind and driving force behind these conspiracies.”
This verdict makes it clear that any act of colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security will inevitably be exposed in the face of irrefutable evidence, and that anyone who betrays the interests of the nation and Hong Kong will ultimately face severe punishment and pay the due price.
Disguised as a media man while acting as an agent for external anti-China forces, Lai was the principal mastermind and perpetrator of a series of riots that shook Hong Kong and undermined the fundamental interests of both the country and the HKSAR.
The reality of Lai’s crimes is clear, backed by conclusive evidence. The traitor has received the penalty he deserves. The verdict underscores the rule of law in Hong Kong.
In Hong Kong today, the legal framework and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security have become increasingly robust. The days when external forces and anti-China destabilizing elements could act with impunity are obviously over.
Lai’s case shows that schemes of anti-China elements aimed at destabilizing Hong Kong will not succeed. Any attempts by external forces to interfere in Hong Kong affairs or China’s internal matters will be in vain. Relentless efforts will continue to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, ensuring long-term stability and prosperity in Hong Kong and the steady, sustained implementation of the “one country, two systems” policy.
Sentence of Jimmy Lai shows justice prevails
BEIJING, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) — The 20-year prison sentence handed down to Jimmy Lai by the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) upholds the rule of law and demonstrates that justice prevails, according to an article posted on the social media account of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.
Lai, an instigator of anti-China riots in Hong Kong, was found guilty in December by the High Court on two charges of conspiring to collude with external forces and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious materials.
The sentence is a solemn and forceful declaration that anyone who dares to challenge the laws concerning national security shall face severe punishment, the article said.
“National security is of utmost importance, and the crimes committed by Lai are considered serious offenses anywhere in the world,” it added.
The court, based on facts and the law, convicted Lai and determined that he was the mastermind behind the offenses. In light of the gravity of his crimes, an appropriate sentence was imposed in accordance with the law, which is an essential requirement of upholding the rule of law, according to the article.
Moreover, people have realized that Jimmy Lai has never been the so-called “fighter for freedom, democracy and human rights,” but rather the chief culprit and a traitor to the nation who has harmed the country’s fundamental interests and the well-being of Hong Kong residents.
Lai’s sentencing has once again proved that justice may be late, but it will come in the end, the article said.
“We firmly support the HKSAR in fulfilling its constitutional responsibility to safeguard national security and in fully and faithfully implementing laws on safeguarding national security,” it said.
All acts and activities that endanger national security will be severely dealt with, all attempts to obstruct the HKSAR in safeguarding national security are bound to fail, and all schemes to disrupt Hong Kong’s transition from stability to prosperity and to contain China by creating chaos in Hong Kong will be defeated, the article said.
Jimmy Lai’s sentence underscores rule of law: HKSAR chief executive
HONG KONG, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) — John Lee, chief executive of China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said on Monday that the sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment imposed on Jimmy Lai manifests that the rule of law is upheld and justice is done, and also brings great relief to all.
Lee said that Lai had long used the now-defunct Apple Daily to poison the minds of Hong Kong people, by inciting hatred, distorting facts, deliberately stirring up social antagonism and glorifying violence. Lai had openly begged for external forces to impose sanctions against China and the HKSAR, sacrificing the well-being of the people of China and the HKSAR.
Lai betrayed the country and harmed the HKSAR, causing damage to the interests of the country and the HKSAR. His conviction is supported by overwhelming evidence, and he for sure deserves his punishment after all the harm he has done, Lee added.
Lee stressed that this case also admonishes that villains who endanger national security could never escape the sanctions of the law and would surely be severely punished in accordance with the law. The HKSAR will continue to steadfastly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests.
Embassy Spokesperson on the UK’s Erroneous Comments on Hong Kong
February 9 (China Embassy UK) – Question: On 9 February, the UK side issued a statement, making unwarranted comments on the sentencing of Jimmy Lai by the High Court of the HKSAR, speaking up for anti-China elements bent on destabilising Hong Kong, and smearing the National Security Law for Hong Kong. What is the Embassy’s comment?
Embassy Spokesperson: We firmly oppose the UK side’s erroneous comments and urge the UK side to respect China’s judicial sovereignty and stop interfering in Hong Kong’s rule of law and China’s internal affairs.
The trial of Jimmy Lai by the courts of the HKSAR was conducted strictly in accordance with the law. The proceedings were open and transparent, and the procedures were rigorous. The defendant’s lawful rights were fully protected, and the court exercised its judicial power independently without any interference. This demonstrates the maturity, resilience, and unquestionable credibility of the rule of law in Hong Kong.
Jimmy Lai fully deserves the punishment imposed on him. The more than 150 days of the trial revealed that he not only openly solicited external interference, but also supported and funded relevant organisations to engage in international lobbying for sanctions against China and the HKSAR. He also manipulated media outlets to incite the public to engage in unlawful protests and violence.
His conduct and activities seriously violated the National Security Law and other relevant laws of Hong Kong, seriously challenged the bottom line of the One Country, Two Systems, seriously undermined the constitutional order of the HKSAR, and seriously damaged Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability.
The facts make it clear that Jimmy Lai was by no means “exercising his right to freedom of expression”, as claimed by the UK side, but was instead a principal culprit who harmed China’s fundamental national interests and the well-being of Hong Kong residents and betrayed his country.
It must be pointed out that Hong Kong has long returned to China, and that British colonial rule over Hong Kong has long ended. The Sino-British Joint Declaration has long fulfilled its historical mission. The constitutional and legal basis for the Chinese government’s governance of Hong Kong lies in the Chinese Constitution and Hong Kong’s Basic Law, not the Sino-British Joint Declaration. The UK side must stop using the Joint Declaration as a pretext to interfere in Hong Kong affairs.
We urge the UK side to recognise the prevailing trend, abandon double standards, stop shielding criminals, and refrain from any words or actions that interfere in Hong Kong’s rule of law and China’s internal affairs.
Embassy Spokesperson on the UK’s Manipulation of the BNO Visa Scheme
February 10 (China Embassy UK) – Question: On 9 February, the UK Home Office announced an expansion of the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa route. What is the Embassy’s comment?
Embassy Spokesperson: China has consistently and firmly opposed the UK’s manipulation of the BNO visa scheme, which constitutes interference in China’s internal affairs.
Similar moves by the UK in the past have resulted in some misled Hong Kong residents leaving their homes for the UK, only to find themselves reduced to “second-class citizens”, facing discrimination and difficulties making a living. The UK’s continued attempts to play the BNO trick are despicable and sinister.
We urge the UK to recognise the broader trend, stop political manipulation, and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs. Otherwise, it will only bring shame to itself and suffer the consequences of its own actions.
