BEIJING – There is every reason to bring Jimmy Lai Chee-ying to justice, because he is the principal mastermind and perpetrator behind the series of riots that shook Hong Kong, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a regular news briefing following media reports citing sources connected to the US government say the US side hopes that China will release Lai on humanitarian grounds, and in return, the US is willing to consider easing some of its Hong Kong-related sanctions on China.

Lai's moves seriously breached the principles and bottom line of "one country, two systems", endangered national security and hurt Hong Kong's prosperity and stability and Hong Kong residents' wellbeing, he said.

"Hong Kong upholds the rule of law. No one should harbor the illusion of engaging in unlawful and criminal activities there with impunity.”

The central government firmly supports the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government in punishing criminal activities that endanger national security in accordance with the law and firmly rejects external forces' interference in Hong Kong's judicial affairs and China's internal affairs, said the spokesperson.

"China has rejected from the very beginning the illicit unilateral sanctions imposed by the US on officials representing the central government in Hong Kong and officials of the HKSAR government. Our position remains consistent and clear," he added.