Hong Kong former media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying must be punished by the court as he seriously endangered the national security and the city’s prosperity and stability, the head of the Hong Kong Legal Professionals Association said on Saturday.

Peter Wong Kit-hin made the remarks as the founder of the now-defunct tabloid Apple Daily is scheduled to be sentenced on Monday.

The High Court, on Dec 15, found Lai guilty of violating the city’s National Security Law, including on two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces.

“The court earlier convicted Jimmy Lai Chee-ying and ruled that he took a careful consideration and a long-term planning to coordinate with external forces to incite hatred against the central government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government,” Wong said in a statement.

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Since the implementation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s National Security Law, the city’s rule of law has been upheld and effective governance has been achieved, fully embodying the spirit of "one country, two systems" and judicial independence, he pointed out.

As an international financial center, Hong Kong has been enjoying a thriving business environment and social stability after the implementation of the National Security Law, demonstrating the country's care for the SAR, Wong added.