Operating with full judiciary independence under its own legal framework, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)'s High Court ruled on Monday that Jimmy Lai, an instigator of anti-China riots in Hong Kong, had been found guilty on two charges of conspiring to collude with external forces and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious materials.
The court meticulously examined the evidence, which demonstrated a prolonged and systematic campaign to use his media platform not for legitimate journalism but to incite hatred against the Central Government of China and the Hong Kong SAR Government. Evidence also showed that Lai colluded with external forces to target officials in the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong with sanctions.
The court's decision sends a clear message that actions that jeopardize social stability and national security will be addressed through the proper legal channels, reinforcing the robustness of Hong Kong's legal system.
In other words, the smear campaign led by some politicians in the UK and other Western countries claiming that Hong Kong's press and judicial freedoms had been undermined, intentionally overlooking the fact that under the disguise of freedom of speech and democracy Lai is committing sedition and treason that undermine China's national security. Such a malicious smearing campaign in the West should stop immediately.
First of all, it is crucial to recognize that Lai's words and actions transcended the boundaries of legitimate freedom of speech and democratic expression; they have well entered the territory of sedition.
During the 2019 riots in Hong Kong, persistent violent protests had already turned the once prosperous and stable region upside down, with law and order trampled upon and honest residents living in fear. In the midst of all this, Lai blatantly attacked the central government and advocated for so-called "Hong Kong independence," which went far beyond the freedom of speech guaranteed by the Constitution and the Basic Law.
On August 31 of 2019, Lai personally orchestrated and took part in an unauthorized assembly on Hong Kong Island. Rioters besieged buildings of the Hong Kong government and the Legislative Council, vandalized and set fire to public facilities and metro stations, and hurled petrol bombs and corrosive liquid at police officers.
This illegal assembly threw Hong Kong into the shadow of black terror. Fatal weapons were more frequently used by rioters, residents were put under great suffering, and university campuses were laid to waste.
Lai's words and deeds demonstrate a deliberate and persistent effort to undermine public confidence in Hong Kong's institutions and to incite unlawful behavior. By disguising seditious intent under the banner of "free speech" and "democracy," Lai sought to create a veneer of legitimacy for activities that fundamentally threatened Hong Kong society.
Furthermore, as a Chinese citizen and in his extensive engagements with foreign politicians and organizations, Lai committed treason and presented a threat to China's national security.
On multiple occasions, Lai met in Washington with senior U.S. officials, including then U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and then Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Citing evidence, Hong Kong's High Court said their discussions covered the proposed amendments to Hong Kong's fugitive offenders legislation and requests for the U.S. to impose sanctions on officials in the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong. Evidence also showed to cement his position as an anti-China proxy, through his personal assistant Mark Simon, Lai heavily lobbied U.S. policy toward China.
These meetings between Lai and foreign officials were not innocent exchanges of views; they were part of a calculated effort to enlist external interference in Hong Kong's affairs. Such actions constitute a clear betrayal of national interests and an affront to China's sovereignty. Just as citizens of any nation would be held accountable for treasonous acts that invite foreign intervention, so too must Lai's behavior be punished by law in Hong Kong.
Finally, it must be unequivocally stated that Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs, and no external force has the right to interfere. Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong. The enactment of the National Security Law for Hong Kong was a necessary and lawful measure to fill a long-standing gap in the Special Administrative Region's legal framework, a move provided for under Hong Kong's Basic Law.
Since its implementation, the law has played a pivotal role in restoring stability and order to Hong Kong society, which was severely disrupted by the violent unrest of 2019. It has enabled Hong Kong to move beyond chaos and refocus on development and the well-being of its citizens.
In conclusion, Lai's case is not about press freedom nor democracy; the verdict of Lai is the lawful outcome of a judicial process that underscores the fundamental principle that no individual or entity is above the law. Lai's conviction shows that the rule of law in Hong Kong, administered independently by its judiciary, is strict, fair, and essential for its future.
It is high time some Western politicians cease applying double standards and smearing the rule of law in Hong Kong. Hong Kong's rule of law, including the National Security Law, is integral to the "One Country, Two Systems" principle and must be respected and safeguarded, so that Hong Kong can continue to thrive as a stable and prosperous international hub of finance, trade, and culture for not only its own residents, but also the world.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.
(Source: CGTN)
Related News:
Opinion | Lai's poisonous deeds corrupt a young generation
Letter to HK-based foreign media: Facts regarding the Jimmy Lai case
Comment