Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Monday welcomed the conviction of Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, saying the verdict upholds justice and safeguards the city's core values.
Meeting the press at the Hong Kong International Airport before departing for Beijing to deliver his duty report, Lee said that Lai’s blatant crimes had been committed in full public view, with solid evidence to support the charges.
He said that Lai had used Apple Daily to collude with foreign or external forces to endanger national security.
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Lai had long exploited the newspaper to arbitrarily create social conflict, incite social division, fuel hatred and glorify violence, while openly encouraging foreign countries to impose sanctions on China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Lee added.
Lee said that Lai’s actions had harmed the fundamental interests of the nation and the well-being of Hong Kong residents, and described his behavior as shameful and his intentions as malicious.
The law does not tolerate individuals of any background or profession publicly harming their own country and compatriots under the guise of human rights, democracy, or freedom, he added.
Lee also affirmed that the HKSAR has a duty to safeguard national security and will resolutely fend off any actions or activities that endanger it.
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He said that the SAR government stands firm in this matter and that the judicial authorities will act with righteousness, undeterred by any intimidation, and are steadfast in fulfilling their responsibility to safeguard national security.
Lee said that Hong Kong is a society governed by the rule of law, and that the SAR government ensures that laws are strictly observed, violations are duly punished, and enforcement is rigorous. The government will spare no effort in preventing, stopping, and punishing activities that threaten national security, and will fulfill its unequivocal responsibility, Lee said.
