Beijing on Tuesday urged Western countries to stop using Jimmy Lai Chee-ying’s court case as a pretext to smear the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, disparage the city’s rule of law, and meddle in China’s internal affairs.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian made his remarks at a regular news briefing in Beijing, responding to statements made by Western countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union, over the High Court of the Hong Kong SAR’s decision on Monday to jail Lai, founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily, for 20 years for conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and conspiracy to publish seditious materials.

Lin said China has made solemn representations to these countries and organizations.

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“I would like to stress again that the affairs of Hong Kong SAR are purely China’s internal affairs and the city’s rule of law cannot be undermined, and no foreign country has the right to point fingers,” Lin said.

Beijing urged the concerned parties to respect China’s sovereignty, abide by the principles of international law and the fundamental norms of international relations, and forthwith desist from any involvement in HKSAR's affairs or interference in China's internal matters.