The United States and the United Kingdom have condemned the Hong Kong High Court’s decision to sentence pro-democracy activist and media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison, a ruling that has been welcomed by China.
Lai, 78, was convicted on Monday after a trial that began in December 2023 and handed the stiffest sentence yet under the Beijing-imposed National Security Law. He was found guilty of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and conspiracy to publish seditious materials.
The founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily was accused of lobbying for sanctions against China and Hong Kong. In their judgment, the judges said Lai harbored resentment toward the People’s Republic of China and described him as the mastermind behind the alleged conspiracies.
Reacting to the verdict, the United States said the sentence represented an unjust and tragic outcome, arguing that it underscores Beijing’s determination to silence advocates of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said China had abandoned its obligations under the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration.
Rubio urged Hong Kong authorities to grant Lai humanitarian parole, noting that he has already endured more than two years of trial proceedings and over five years in detention.
The United Kingdom also criticized the ruling, describing it as a politically motivated prosecution aimed at suppressing dissent. The British government said Lai, a British citizen, was punished for exercising his right to freedom of expression under a law designed to silence critics of China.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper raised concerns about Lai’s health, describing the 20-year sentence as effectively a life term, and called on Hong Kong authorities to end what she termed an “appalling ordeal” by releasing him on humanitarian grounds.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reportedly discussed the case with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a recent visit to China, with further diplomatic engagements expected following the sentencing.
China, however, defended the judgment, describing Lai as the principal instigator behind unrest in Hong Kong. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said his actions violated the principles of “One Country, Two Systems,” undermined stability, and harmed the well-being of residents.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said there was every justification to hold Lai accountable, reaffirming Beijing’s support for Hong Kong’s efforts to safeguard national security.
China also warned other countries against interfering in its internal affairs, urging them to respect its sovereignty and Hong Kong’s judicial independence and refrain from what it called irresponsible comments on the case.
