The Court of First Instance of the High Court of Hong Kong recently handed down the first-instance ruling in the Jimmy Lai Chee-ying case. Lai was found guilty on two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign or external forces to endanger national security and one count of conspiracy to publish seditious publications, and was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment. This just ruling, delivered after 156 days of open court hearings and backed by irrefutable evidence, not only imposes severe legal punishment on Lai for his anti-China and Hong Kong destabilizing crimes, but also stands as a landmark event demonstrating how the Hong Kong National Security Law safeguards the steady and sustained implementation of the “one country, two systems” framework. It has thoroughly exposed the false public image carefully fabricated for Lai by Western forces.
Dismantling the facade: exposing the criminal truth
For a long time, certain Western politicians have portrayed Lai as a so-called “democracy fighter” and “defender of press freedom”, attempting to turn him into a symbolic figure against China. However, the facts established by the court have ruthlessly torn off this disguise. Identified as the mastermind behind the scenes and driving force of multiple conspiracies, Lai is essentially a loyal agent and pawn of anti-China forces. Leveraging the media platforms under his control, he long fueled social rifts and stoked confrontation between social strata. During the 2019 amendment bill unrest, he turned his media outlets into propaganda machinery inciting violence, wantonly smearing the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, discrediting police law enforcement, glorifying illegal riots, and providing ideological justification for rioters’ vandalism, arson and looting. Worse still, he openly begged foreign forces to impose sanctions on China, with our city included, funded anti-China and Hong Kong destabilizing political groups with huge sums, and attempted to turn Hong Kong into a springboard for orchestrating a color revolution. Such acts have nothing to do with democracy and freedom; they are criminal acts that betray national interests and undermine the well-being of Hong Kong residents.
Upholding due process: affirming the dignity of the rule of law
The legal punishment of Lai is grounded in solid legal basis. The Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL), enacted in 2020, explicitly lists collusion with foreign or external forces to endanger national security as one of the four major categories of crimes endangering national security, providing clear legal grounds for preventing, suppressing and punishing such offences. As a landmark case since the implementation of the NSL that invokes the provision on colluding with external forces to endanger national security, the trial was conducted strictly in line with the rule of law, fully open, fair and impartial. The court granted both the prosecution and the defense full rights to present evidence, cross-examine witnesses and present arguments. The ruling was based entirely on solid facts and legal provisions, free from any political interference. It fully embodies the core value of Hong Kong’s judicial independence and upholds the authority and dignity of the rule of law in Hong Kong. The 20-year sentence is not only a due punishment for Lai’s personal crimes, but also sends a clear and solemn warning to all forces attempting to challenge national sovereignty and undermine Hong Kong’s stability: Any act endangering national security will inevitably be severely punished by law.
The verdict in the Lai case once again proves that national security is the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability, and the “one country, two systems” framework is the best institutional arrangement for Hong Kong to maintain long-term prosperity and stability
Rejecting double standards: standing firm against external interference
It is disgraceful that certain Western politicians turn a blind eye to Lai’s proven crimes, yet make groundless remarks on Hong Kong’s judicial ruling and even threaten to sanction the city’s judicial officers. Such perverse double standards constitute blatant interference in Hong Kong’s judicial independence and a wanton trampling on international rule of law. Some Western countries have enacted far stricter national security laws for themselves and mete out harsh penalties for any acts endangering their own national security, yet arbitrarily criticize China’s legitimate efforts to safeguard national security. Their true intention is merely to use Lai as a pawn to meddle in China’s internal affairs and contain China’s development. Such hegemonic practices have been strongly condemned and firmly opposed by all Chinese people, including Hong Kong residents.
Fortifying national security: advancing from order to prosperity
Facts speak louder than words. In the almost six years since the implementation of the NSL, Hong Kong has achieved a pivotal transition from chaos to order, with social order fully restored and residents’ legitimate rights and interests fully protected. Once shrouded by violence, Hong Kong has regained strong vitality. A safe and stable social environment has laid a solid foundation for Hong Kong’s economic development. Hong Kong has retained its status as an international financial, trade, and shipping hub, with a continuously optimized business environment and multinational corporations increasing their investment in the city. Today, security has become Hong Kong’s most valuable development advantage. Under the solid safeguard of national security, Hong Kong is fully focused on boosting the economy and pursuing development, actively integrating into the overall national development strategy, deeply participating in the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and advancing steadily on the new journey of advancing from stability to prosperity.
The verdict in the Lai case once again proves that national security is the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability, and the “one country, two systems” framework is the best institutional arrangement for Hong Kong to maintain long-term prosperity and stability. Any attempt to split the country or collude with external forces to undermine Hong Kong’s stability will be forever condemned by history. With the continuous consolidation of the national security defense line, Hong Kong is bound to embrace an even brighter future and make greater contributions to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
The author is secretary-general of the Hong Kong Coalition.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
