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.