On the 15th, Hong Kong Next Media founder Jimmy Lai was convicted of two counts of 'conspiracy to collude with foreign or external forces' and one count of 'conspiracy to publish seditious publications', with all three charges found guilty. Chief Executive John Lee stated that this verdict upholds Hong Kong's core values, and criticized Jimmy Lai for harming China's fundamental interests and the wellbeing of Hong Kong citizens, calling his actions shameful.
On the 15th, prior to his departure to Beijing to report on his duties, John Lee said at Hong Kong International Airport that he welcomed the verdict and stated that the court's conviction of Jimmy Lai and three related companies of Apple Daily confirmed that Lai used Apple Daily to collude with foreign or external forces and endangered national security.
According to a press release from the Hong Kong SAR government, John Lee stated: “For a long time, Jimmy Lai has used his media, Apple Daily, to recklessly create social divisions, incite antagonism, stoke hatred, glorify violence, and openly plead for foreign countries to sanction China and the Hong Kong SAR, inviting external interference. Jimmy Lai has harmed the country's fundamental interests and the wellbeing of Hong Kong citizens—his actions are shameful and his intentions malicious. Lai's brazen crimes were carried out in full public view, with overwhelming evidence, and the court's conviction demonstrates the justice of the law and upholds Hong Kong's core values.”
The Judgment States Intent to Overthrow the CCP
Judge Esther Toh, when reading the verdict in court, pointed out that she was convinced Jimmy Lai was the ringleader in all three conspiracy charges and that he used Apple Daily as a platform to intentionally conspire to publish seditious publications. Such publications posed threats and harm to the national security of China and the Hong Kong SAR. The judge also said Jimmy Lai never wavered from his intention to undermine the CCP regime—even after the National Security Law was enacted, he still pressed on, merely shifting to a more subtle and restrained approach.
The judge cited the testimony of accomplice and former Apple Daily CEO Cheung Kim Hung, stating that after Lai was arrested for the second time, he still instructed Cheung to operate Apple Daily as usual. This reflected that before and after the National Security Law’s promulgation, Lai's sole purpose was to seek the overthrow of the CCP, even if it meant sacrificing the interests of the Chinese and Hong Kong people.
'Harbors Deep Resentment Against China'
The judge noted that from Jimmy Lai’s column articles, livestream programs, and other content, it was clear that he has harbored deep resentment against China for many years since adulthood and often used helping Hong Kong people as an excuse to seek help from the US to overthrow the Chinese government. Evidence in the case also showed that accomplice Mark Simon worked for Lai behind the scenes, arranging meetings in Washington with US government officials, including then Vice President Mike Pence and then Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, lobbying and seeking their support in opposing the governments of China and the Hong Kong SAR.