Beijing has formally protested against international criticism of the 20-year prison sentence handed to Hong Kong pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai for national security offences.
Countries including the United States, Britain, and Australia condemned the ruling, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it “unjust and tragic.” The European Union said it “deplores” the sentence and called for Lai’s “immediate and unconditional release,” while Britain promised to “rapidly engage further” on the matter.
Responding to the criticism on Tuesday, China’s foreign ministry accused foreign governments and institutions of using the case to “maliciously smear Hong Kong.”
“China firmly opposes this and has lodged solemn representations with the relevant countries and institutions,” spokesman Lin Jian said at a regular news briefing.
Lai, a British citizen and founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, was found guilty in December of colluding with foreign forces by urging sanctions on Hong Kong and of publishing “seditious” articles. His sentence is the harshest to date under Hong Kong’s national security law, imposed by Beijing in 2020 following widespread pro-democracy protests.
Lin defended the ruling, saying it was “based on facts and law, is legal, just and beyond reproach,” and urged foreign governments to “immediately cease meddling in Hong Kong matters and China’s internal affairs in any way.”
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