Reaction to Jimmy Lai's national security offence conviction
發佈日期: 2025-12-15 23:55
TVB News
Chief Executive John Lee said he welcomes the court's verdict and that the ruling safeguards the city's core values. The verdict has drawn reactions from a number of countries, including Britain, where Jimmy Lai is a citizen.
Speaking to the media before his departure to Beijing, Chief Executive John Lee said he welcomed Jimmy Lai's guilty verdict. He said that Lai had exploited Apple Daily to deliberately stir up social conflicts and incite hatred, while calling for foreign sanctions on China and Hong Kong.
Separately, a government spokesperson said that the court's verdict is "reasoned and well-founded." The spokesperson said the ruling "fully demonstrates that the court arrived at the verdict in strict accordance with the laws and evidence, free from any interference, and entirely devoid of political considerations."
In a commentary, Beijing's Hong Kong Macao Affairs Office, or HMO, said Jimmy Lai was the "mastermind" and "main participant" of a series of anti-China and anti-Hong Kong events. HMO said it "resolutely" supports the SAR government in fulfilling its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding the national security by convicting Lai.
After the ruling, Lai's wife and son came out of the court building. Next to them was Cardinal Joseph Zen. They did not answer questions from the press.
Meanwhile, Lai's defence lawyer Robert Pang said he would need some time to study the lengthy judgement before deciding if they would appeal. When asked about Lai's health condition, Pang did not provide any comments but said the public could see his spirit in the courtroom earlier.
Britain's foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, said the U.K. condemns the "politically motivated prosecution" of Lai. She said the British authorities will continue to call for Lai's "immediate release" and "full access to independent medical professionals."
Australia said it is "deeply concerned" by the "guilty verdict." It said Canberra will continue to "raise human rights concerns directly with the Hong Kong and Chinese governments."
The European Union said it deplores the conviction and calls for Lai's "immediate and unconditional release."
