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All three national security charges against Jimmy Lai have been upheld as guilty. The Commissioner's Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong stated that a just verdict cannot be interfered with and external intervention is destined to fail.
On the 15th, a spokesperson for the Commissioner's Office expressed firm support for the Hong Kong SAR's lawful decision finding Jimmy Lai guilty of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security, as well as conspiracy to publish seditious publications. In response to criticisms and public interference from the UK, Australia, the USA, Germany, the EU and certain politicians regarding the verdict, the spokesperson expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition, issuing a stern condemnation.
“The Lai Case Has Nothing to Do with Freedom of the Press”
The spokesperson stated that Hong Kong is a society governed by the rule of law, where everyone is equal before the law and no one has the privilege to stand above it. Jimmy Lai was a chief planner and participant in anti-China and destabilizing incidents in Hong Kong, an “agent” and “pawn” for external anti-China forces. His words and deeds have severely endangered national security. The justice authorities of the Hong Kong SAR have fulfilled their duties according to law, upheld the authority of law, and defended national security—these actions are reasonable, justified, and lawful, and are not to be interfered with. The Lai case has nothing whatsoever to do with “freedom of the press.” Any attempt to whitewash Lai or to interfere with the judiciary through political pressure is a blatant trampling on the spirit of the rule of law.
The spokesperson added that this judicial case is purely an internal matter of the Hong Kong SAR and brooks no interference. The clumsy performances of the relevant countries and politicians will not stop Hong Kong from moving from stability to prosperity, and their blustering threats of sanctions are doomed to be futile. China urges the relevant countries and politicians to recognize the reality, pull back from the brink, and immediately cease interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs.