Jimmy Lai, the founder of Next Digital, and three affiliated companies are facing charges of conspiring to collude with foreign forces and publish seditious materials. The trial, lasting 156 days, concluded on Dec. 15 at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court, with three judges—Madam Justice Esther Toh, Judge Susana Maria D'Almada Remedios, and Justice Alex Lee—finding Lai guilty on two counts of conspiracy and one count of sedition.
Chan Yung, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Deputies to the National People's Congress, Legislative Council Member, vice chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, and president of theNew Territories Association of Societies, stated that the fair trial and judgment in Jimmy Lai's case are important milestones for the rule of law and the safeguarding of national security in Hong Kong. This case not only pertains to one person's accountability but also represents a firm support for the rule of law under the "one country, two systems" principle. The proceedings made it clear that Hong Kong law has the capacity to protect legitimate rights while demonstrating a commitment to judicial fairness and transparency, cutting off the hands that jeopardize national security.
Hong Kong prides itself on press freedom, and a society governed by the rule of law protects related rights. However, press freedom is not a shield for inciting hatred, disrupting social order, or threatening national security. When media organizations are transformed into bases for incitement and collusion with foreign forces, and when journalistic reporting becomes part of organized crime, it fundamentally betrays the profession and spirit of journalism, he said.
The red lines of national security must not be crossed. The fair ruling in Lai's case serves as an uncompromising warning that any actions masquerading as "press freedom" while engaging in subversion will face stern legal consequences. Only on the solid foundation of national security and the rule of law can Hong Kong maintain prosperity and stability, ensuring fundamental guarantees for its citizens. Under the rule of law, accountability is essential; this ruling demonstrates justice and lays a firm foundation for the long-term peace and stability of Hong Kong, he concluded.
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