On 15 December, the UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper issued a statement, which made irresponsible remarks on the conviction of Jimmy Lai and smeared the National Security Law for Hong Kong. This blatantly interferes in China’s internal affairs and tramples on the rule of law, and seriously violates the basic norms governing international relations. We strongly oppose and condemn such an unjustified move by the UK side.
Extensive facts revealed during the trial of this case fully prove that Jimmy Lai was the primary planner and participant in a series of anti-China riots in Hong Kong, a pawn for external anti-China forces, and the behind-the-scenes instigator of the turbulence over the amendment bill in Hong Kong.
He publicly begged foreign countries to impose sanctions on China and the Hong Kong SAR, brazenly proclaimed "fighting for the US," colluded with "Hong Kong independence" and "violent riots" organisations as well as foreign forces, abused media tools to incite hatred and intensify confrontation, and drummed up support for violent activities, in an attempt to destabilise Hong Kong and pursue a "colour revolution." His crimes are numerous and substantiated by evidence.
Lai’s doing was by no means what the UK side claimed to be “peacefully” exercising his right to freedom of expression. His actions seriously challenged the One Country, Two Systems bottom line, gravely endangered national security, and severely undermined Hong Kong's prosperity, stability, and the well-being of its citizens. Such serious crimes deserve severe punishment under the law.
Safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests is the highest principle of the One Country, Two Systems policy. The National Security Law is a necessary measure to protect national security. Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law, where laws must be observed and violations must be punished. The Hong Kong SAR has handled the case of Jimmy Lai in strict accordance with the law, upholding the authority and dignity of the rule of law and fulfilling its constitutional duty to safeguard national security, thereby earning broad recognition and support. The trial of the Jimmy Lai case has been conducted openly and transparently, with fair and impartial procedures. This is beyond any question or reproach.
Hong Kong has long returned to China and British colonial rule in Hong Kong has been put to an end long ago. Hong Kong-related affairs are purely China’s internal affairs. The UK is in no position and has no right to point fingers at or interfere in Hong Kong-related affairs. The UK side’s attempt to interfere in Hong Kong’s judicial affairs will only further expose its sinister motive to destabilise Hong Kong, will only arouse universal indignation within the Hong Kong society, and will get nowhere.
We urge the UK side to immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong’s judicial affairs and China’s internal affairs, stop making the case for anti-China rioters bent on destabilising Hong Kong, and stop going further down the wrong path.
